get a title search/insurance to CYA, and make sure there are no liens, mortgages, judgments,etc.Is there anything in particular the contract should entail?  

My agent also knew the house was 'winterized" but never said anything about what that entailed. 

This will entail, making application with the property address being listed as TBD, but you and the lender can have a meaningful conversation regarding all aspects of your loan request and your credit profile.

If so, do you have to be licensed to do so, if not, what do the conveyancing steps entail?

However I have no idea about what that process entails and the likelihood of it being a realistic option.

The likely option for these is a short sale, with all that entails.  

I first want to spend as much time reading, learning, asking questions, and getting a feel for what the entire process entails before buying a property and finding myself in over my head, or with a bad/professional tenant.Thanks for reading and good luck out there everyone!

@Paul FalardeauI'm also curious what 'filling in a pool ' entails.  

Risk management entails identifying risks and devising strategies to counter them.

I would consider getting another quote.electrical should be like no more than $10,000 and that is like a complete rewire(prolly should be much less)plumbing should be more than $10,000(proly should be much less)Finishes - not sure what this entails but $5,000 - $10,000Pulling permits - $500structural - ????