If these continual expenses are not made  you end up with slum properties renting for a minimum weekly rate to transients.In a higher rate era, this will reign more true.

I have already shopped insurance, and the sellers are providing $5k towards prepaids/closing costs. 

There must be an egress in all sleeping areas and make sure the listing states it's a sleeping loft that is not a true bedroom.

I’d love to house hack and start with a duplex or larger, but I’m just finding is hard to shop around in our market.

However, when I requested the return of my funds on June 26, 2023, that information did not hold true.

If all that is true try @Dave Foster.

If it was true, then there is a way. 

Whether your statements are true or false, whether we have evidence to support or deny a claim, it will never be something blasted on the internet.

Also, real builders/experienced developers will often have a true technician, i.e. a civil engineer, architect, real estate attorney et al at least glance at the property info to make sure there are no major red flags.

Again, we are talking about unwarranted reviews, not true 3- or 4-star reviews.