If it needs lead cert you might think of getting it done before the vacancy to ensure its done in time. 

With some hard money lenders you will be paying a rush fee to get the appraisal and other documents done in time.

My question is more related to the future, and will there become a point in time like the overseas prince scams where hopefully this is talked about enough for people not to get scammed like this

It's a business and investments in time and/or money are required.

East Bay  (it can be neighborhood by neighborhood and street by street)Class A: Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Danville, Dublin, Pleasanton, maybe parts of Pleasant Hill and Concord, parts of Pinole?

If the houses look run down, not kept up, it's most likely not Class A  and look at what's surrounding the neighborhood as far as types of businesses (check cashing, bars on their windows).Bay Area (it can be neighborhood by neighborhood and street by street) I don't know the Peninsula well but expensive Palo Alto would be Class A to me:Class A: Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Danville, Dublin, Pleasanton, maybe parts of Pleasant Hill and Concord, parts of  Pinole?

However, I had an agent who I trusted intimately and who stayed with me the whole time, and frankly, did more than she should have done to help me out.I wouldn't recommend anyone do what I did though. 

So that's what I started with going in and sitting down and going through the big books its  walk back in time and history very interesting if nothing else.

The right deal will come in time. 

Their kids were becoming lead poisoned and various levels of disabled for life.The good news is that the closer in time to '78, the less likely hood of have lead paint.