UPDATE:Had the owner of the company come through on Wednesday.Master plumber with over 40 years experience.Very nice and professional.While were there fixed too emergencies.One the p trap was leaking under the kitchen sink and water was going everywhere.Another unit water was coming down from the upstairs through the kitchen.That ended up being the metal line going into toilet tank.Someone wrench tightened the line going into the tank when they were only supposed to hand tighten.This caused a crack in the plastic seal and the water then started pouring out.The plumbers fixed it.When he came out on Wednesday he looked at 2 units.He said to do it right he needs to have 2 of his plumbers out there and go unit by unit.They will check all fixtures kitchen,bath,washer,etc. and do compression test.

Would it be better to fund the deal as if I was her or use the funds as "private money"?

:P I can get a Washer and Dryer that isn't terrible for 300 bucks on Craigslist, and rent it to the tenant for $25.00 a month.My son can mow their lawn for $25.00 month, since we already have the mowers, and I can deduct them!!!!!

(No pressure washers, please.

You need an attorney and go with a foreclosure, that's because they have been making repairs, that provides them with an equitable interest along with the payments they made. 2 years ago Dodd-Frank was here, so who did that installment sale?

The local 4plex was very nicely done with Berber carpet, washers and dryers in each unit, and they were rented at $850 per unit and were full. 

It just seems weird that a washer hookup downstairs would affect a sink upstairs. 

Updating projects include:2 x new kitchens2 new sets of appliances including plumbing for dishwashers (didn't have dishwashers)Building out washer/dryer laundry rooms off the kitchen, so tenants will have separate systemsAll basement windows will be replaced with glass block that can open (for venting)I'm tearing out all the gross drywall and crap in basement and starting freshUpdating bathroomsInstalling Glass Block in the bathroom windowsFixing a few windowsPaint the whole damn thing inside and outRipping off (and capping) the unused crumbling chimneyWater managementGutters installed with drain pipes so I get the water away from the perimeterRipping out the carpet and refinishing the original hardwood - everywhere (if it's salvable)I am rebuilding a stairway making it saferA few other projectsTotal price after all Rehab/Fees is approximately $210,000I don't know what my rentals will be, I am going to begin marketing it @ $1,500.00/unit I believe I will be able to lease there, or at the lowest $1,300.00/unit (as is market values on craigslist and other sources)The neighborhood is considered the good part of the rough area, lower owner-occupant, lot's of section 8 in surrounding areas.  

The contract my realtor sent required a response by 5p of the day it was sent (not sure if this is standard but that is what he did)Ask yourself what you can do to improve the building, raise rents, putting in coin-op washer/dryer, basement unit, etc.

It was her moms house which she has passed and has been sitting vacant for a few years.