I have past 100s and 100s 100s of sec 8 inspections never once using an inspector.  

Whether you are a wholesaler or a realtor, it is your responsibility, especially for out of town buyers who cannot see the property in person and in these situations where you are not allowing inspections, to be very clear, thorough, honest, and forthcoming in your communications.

Had a home inspection done and found it needs some work (Roof will need to be replaced in the next few years, some of the electrical needs work, updating the 2 upstairs units, furnace replacement at some point, etc...).  

. --- We haven't seen a S8 inspection report in over a decade that required a tenant to fix damages they obviously caused.

What I can say is I recently did a home inspection on a property which uncovered a lead inlet pipe into the house. 

Yes/no, it's not like lenders do inspections but I encourage you live there, learn, and follow the guidelines of your loan. 2.

Some lenders charge 5% released upon C/O, others release once that particular line item is approved by local inspection agency.

First you need to learn to separate the following:Maintenance: usually things related to wear & tear or tenant damage.Repairs: usually broken items like doors & windows, caused by tenant or nature.Capital Improvements: usually expensive things that wear out: hot water tanks, furnaces, roofs, etc.The seller is correct that Repairs & Capital Improvement items should not be a factor for awhile (ALWAYS get your own inspection to confirm).

The only way you're going to know about the cause one way or the other is to have a plumber inspect and troubleshoot.

Network with wholesalers, check public records, and use platforms like PropStream or DealMachine to find distressed properties.Be Cautious: Pay attention to permits, inspections, and local market trends—over-improving for the area could hurt your profits.Starting with a solid plan and realistic numbers will set you up for success.