The seller is required to disclose any known material defects.Don't shortcut to save $100 by avoiding an "extra" inspection. 

A wise investor will not try to get rich quick with shortcuts.

It takes some practice, but once you understand the process, it's not difficult to come up with shortcuts and rules of thumb for the specific types of houses you are looking at. 

So...just like anything else, there are no shortcuts.

Also, I apologize for the haphazard way this post is organized.

There used to be SEO shortcuts.  

I'm not familiar with with OH probate laws or any shortcuts to bi-pass a formal probate.

A short cut sometimes is knowing the appraisers in the Assessor's Office as they usually have working papers with cross references of information, but here such working papers aren't really public records, but folks might help you.After knowing the system in an area courthouse you can often call for info.

As to a point system I'm guessing it's some method to avoid understanding RE and markets, another short cut that any monkey can follow to make you wealthy so that books can be sold.  

There is no short cut.