@Micah Carter I didn't have any formal home repair knowledge but I have always been one who likes working with my hands and figuring things out.

Her asking price is a square deal and I'm ready to make an offer tomorrow, but she has no real estate experience and I have none sans-agent.Any crash course advice for a newbie who has no fear of doing the necessary work, but I don't know what I don't know.Here is how I think it might need to go:1) Make a formal written offer (Find a standard real estate contract & make the offer for both parties to sign.  

I realize after this experience that we need to have a more formal process. 

I've recently formalized my business by creating a corporation. 

We have a formal treasurer who leads with handling the finances, which we can request at any time to see.

If I did approach him about this I would use an attorney to formalize everything and do my due diligence on his business model, but what else should to protect both of us? 

I know a formal inspection will tell everything I need to know.

Now my question is how do I go about formally asking the seller to make the repair? 

It is subject to probate court confirmation but the auction house says that that is just a formality, there's no real sign off and what it goes for is what it goes for.

I would take careful notes of how the story changed and send a formal demand for the return of your security deposit - I'd fight it for justice, but there isn't shame in backing away (and not giving them any more money) if you're not up to the fight.