i don't have a list for you but i can tell you what i look for as a home inspector. first, look at the ridge line on the roof. if there is a bow or a dip in the roof line, there are structural issues. run the other way. look for cracks in the foundation walls. some cracks are normal, but any large cracks with a matching crack on the opposite side of the foundation, is a structural issue. put a level, preferably a 4 foot level, on the outside walls of the house, vertically. move the level in or outward until it shows level. if the house is tilting in any direction, this will show you. a tilting house is not a good thing. look for windows or doors that have cracks above or below them in the walls, usually a diaginal crack. this indicates a house that is settling. all houses settle a little, but these are extreme. next, open and close a few doors and windows. when a house settles or has structural issues, windows and doors won't work the same.

Multiple exit strategies increase the ways you can win and decrease the ways you can lose, thus tilting the odds in your favor.

I've seen some incredible cameras with Pan Tilt and Zoom features. 

It is now sinking & tilting.  

I started in stocks and bonds and have tilted much more toward real estate the past 3 years or so.  

hmm;  B&H operations will not give you all the free time you might assume(see my profile).Go full tilt and form a JV or Limited Partnership where you provide management advice and financing and the partner provides operational aspects. 

It's interesting, until recently I saw everyone on BP saying to "leverage to the tilt" then the recession comes and those that didn't own RE in the last downturn start to realize and change their tune a bit.

I will keep looking with a strong tilt toward finding value.

What tilted the scale in the direction of no mentor.

I usually feel like BP members are tilted more towards cashflow than I am, so it was good to get some different perspectives.