If you have exhausted yourself with these first three steps and you still have 2 or more markets that look good, then make your final decision based on convenience.  

Here in CA, contractors have bonds or 15k, you can do logged communications, demands, etc, and if everything is exhausted and still the contractor does not perform the contract.

Even averaging out the comparables comes to $155k not withstanding the fact that it is probably going to be an insult to both the listing agent and my buyer's agent who has spent several hours taking me on property tours to offer this low for the house.

It's exhausting but it'll be worth it down the road.Best of luck!

And does anyone have any suggestions to resources I can exhaust to decide which type I should tackle first?

In some cases 10%.I have borrowers who do exhaustive inspection searches on their own before they're even negotiating much else.   

To be honest, although I like the area, it wouldn't be my first choice... my wife's parents live there and she is very close with her family so... but, I do like it so, I think we will be happy there... state taxes not withstanding that will eat into my pension.  

I would exhaust asking all friends and family first as private is almost always easier to work with.

There will need to be an entity able to withstand recourse liability, and if the LLC doesn't have another guarantor and/or collateral, then they're going to base your terms on your personal financials.I would shop some local bank balance sheet lenders as well as credit unions. 

It is not part of the property we are purchasing (#16)After long and exhausting searches on line, it seems that the lot in between (#14) is owner-less!