.), by submitting the S.I. up front and insisting that the T.O. run it through general index upon opening the order.

The owner insisted the furnace worked and there was no lead paint and it was totally renovated in the 90s. 

With that being said if I really "like" the guy and he is insistent on needing money for the supplies I tell him put a list together and I will pay direct to the supply house with direct delivery to the jobsite.

The seller insists on 20% down in the offer.

I always insist on cash (or a check drawn on a local bank so I can walk it in and get cash) for all move-in costs.  

I had a previous tenant who insisted she could use her security deposit as the last month's rent, despite what the lease said.

Be careful to insist that an Environmental Professional (as defined in the standard and EPA regulations), not some "field staff," performs the site inspection, one of the most important parts of the job. 

If you insist that you will never succeed, then you absolutely never will.

Tell your buyer that because the two of you haven't done business before, you must insist that he place this into YOUR attorney's escrow account.

But then again it's a Fannie REO.If I were you, I would send them back the addendum with your attorney letter insisting on a 5 day contingency period.