Glad all this is getting uncovered!

@Caleb Heimsoth well I was 15 and working at a Sonic Drive In. $5.15/hr didn't offer me much hope for buying real estate.

The types of inspections vary by property type and situation (and locale), but in Illinois, a licensed home inspector generally inspects the home first, and other inspections and tests (for things like lead paint, asbestos, etc.) can be ordered if revealed to be necessary by the initial inspection.Based on the outcome of inspections, buyers may elect to ask the seller for repair work, closing cost credits, or a reduction in the sale price due to flaws that were uncovered.

A Thorough title search includes written inquiry to the code enforcement dept (and utilities, etc) in order to uncover any existing but unrecorded code violations.  

Doubt you'd have trouble with the appraiser or bank--your main concern, which is already clear from your post, is if/when the municipality uncovers the dark secret hiding in your basement.  

Your list should show that if it has owner info.I would mail monthly and track the results in detail including best day to mail, type of piece that gets results, owner occupancy, area and type of property that gets best results etc The more you test and track the more patterns you can uncover.

Do not renegotiate on minor details... but always assess the deal as new information is uncovered.

So nice to hear your story, and it sounds somewhat similar to mine.

There are really nice homes in this park and not so nice ones that need a little work. 

What happens when you uncover a truly motivated seller who simply doesn't have enough equity to make the numbers on a flip work?