Get pictures of every room, the electrical breaker box, water heater, furnace, each side of the house, the roof, the basement if there is one, inside and outside of the garage if there is one etc.If the seller doesn’t want you to come do a walk-through and take pictures due to concerns over COVID-19, then have the seller take pictures and send them to you.

You also mentioned an unpaid water bill, so be sure to deduct any outstanding balance from that bill as well. 

I also see your point about avoiding bargain basement properties, especially insofar as tax shielding is easier with an asset of a reasonable size.Your point about barriers to entry is also interesting, since I suppose those barriers can be geography (natural boundaries of mountains/water), but you're probably referring to that which impedes future construction?

If they suspend/lose their license, they're dead in the water.

Just starting out and testing waters for BRRR in Chicagoland area.Any advice or suggestions regarding this?

Another post someone made a comment about how “he can help the seller avoid foreclosure”These types of predatory messages also can get you in deep hot water as they have no intention of helping they just want the house at a discount

Each of the 5 warehouses on this campus will require updates (construction of offices/bathrooms, roof repairs, paint, siding repairs, new penetrations for doors, updates to electrical, insulation, and extension of water and sewer). 

The expansion of ADUs hence serves a dual purpose, simultaneously addressing housing affordability concerns and nurturing the urban economic vitality.As far as sewer and water, they would be pulled off the main in the back of the property.

I learned the hard way how to shut off water and how to winterize.

So multiple eyes and local expert providing local cost and input on lifespan.Here is an example that has a part that is more expensive in my market than other markets (unlike most parts that are the same everywhere, so in this case your cost should be significantly less due to both cheaper part and cheaper labor): $1600 40 gal water heater installed (this is good price for a plumber, a little high for a handyman) with expected life of 12 years (i have some that go 20 years and some that die in less that 10 years (mostly rheem die in less than 10 years), 12 years is fair life expectation