Many lenders also impose additional requirements such as owner-occupancy, and/or that one lender make all of the institutional loans in the building.- Valuation: The variety of financing products available as individual tenant in common loans remains limited, and the terms are generally less favorable than either apartment building loans or condominium loans.

And add an additional security deposit, but more importantly is "Why".  

@Colleen F. unfortunately, AFAIK, there is no other resource than go to small claims court and go after her, which will take me $2-3K in additional legal fees.

In short, I can afford the additional $1100/mo cost of a second house, even until I rent it out.I have around $35K in HYSA and emergency funds that I could use for a down payment, but that's less than 20% which would be required for a conventional loan, assuming full purchase price.

Whether the seller was open to a buyer commission or not, I wouldn't put an additional cost into any personal purchase.  

Be prepared to come in with additional cash to close due the the appraisal.   

Then if I have additional concerns I call in an expert to get further information and an estimate on what the repair will cost.

If the water bill is $100 a month, increase the price by 20% (or whatever you decide is fair) to compensate you for the time required to split and bill and to cover additional use when tenants squander the utility.

Most look at a Certificate of Insurance and confirm coverage limits but best practices are to (1) become added as additional insured under contractors policy and (2) understand coverage exclusions which are not going to be detailed on an insurance certificate.

Additionally, the beach is still within reach...just a short 1 hour flight or 6 hour drive.