I suspect you did not have representation when you went into this deal the time to  pull a preliminary title report is before doing it now is I bet going to show this seller owes money and he probably or maybe does not have the funds to clear the mortgage off of the property so he can deed it to you free and clear..

You may consider having a title company do a preliminary title search but that is costly. 

I spoke with my contractor today and he is going to talk with an architect we have used in the past to see if he can work with us in this preliminary phase.  

I would not order title work until you have remove the preliminary contingencies of home inspection, rehab bids and financing, unless you have reason to think that there are issues on title.

You don't want them starting on any preliminary design or property research until you are sure it's yours.

We prefer to do a preliminary walk-through as soon as we receive the tenant's notice to vacate.

I have been tasked with removing a family member from a joint Tennant coronership. who fills out an affidavit of death and a preliminary change of ownership.

But as for pure appreciation potential, I’d wager that a good SFH will be a more solid bet than a condo in a tower (different than a condo in a small 2-4 bldg.)

Expenses incurred in the course of a general search or a preliminary investigation of a new business are personal in nature and are not deductible by individual taxpayers (Rev.

@Terrence Williams  As you mentioned, most of the specifics will come out during each individual deal, but I think you're generally asking the right questions for this kind of preliminary meeting.