A lot of these issues are difficult to ascertain in a screening.So we choose to keep our best tenants a little below market rent because it makes our life easy and can be the financially prudent decision.Something for you to consider.

(a)(1) In order to obtain the redemption of land from tax sales where the same has been sold to one other than the state, the party desiring to make such redemption shall deposit with the judge of probate of the county in which the land is situated the amount of money for which the lands were sold, with interest payable at the rate of eight percent per annum from date of sale, and, on the portion of any excess bid that is less than or equal to 15 percent of the market value as established by the assessing official, together with the amount of all taxes which have been paid by the purchaser, which fact shall be ascertained by consulting the records in the office of the tax collector, or other tax collecting official, with interest on the payment at eight percent per annum.  

I suspect the realtor(s) that worked with you cannot ascertain what you are really looking for based on what you've posted here.

There is no need to invite the city inspector there as you can ascertain permits from the public records and see what if any permits have been executed on this property.

Ultimately you get it during the inspection but you should ascertain the condition early on.

I will have to contact the seller to ascertain whether the property is still on the market.

You will need to ascertain this information through your due diligence of the property.

3) What methods of research are used when trying to ascertain the MPP?

One ascertained via body language? 

When he flushes the toilet, often his toilet is overflowing and urine and feces liquid is coming through the ceiling through the bathroom fan and dripping all over the toilet and the floor.This has happened and been documented 4 times, that I'm aware of as certainly it happens when i don't happen to be here.