@Mikael LickteigAsk for permission or beg for forgiveness? 

You need to tel your lender ahead of time what you want to do and get their permission or you’ll end up with a hefty balloon payment pretty quick.

You didn't say what state you are in but here is the law in Ohio.G) A licensee shall not advertise or alter any informational part of a listing of any property, that is not listed for sale, lease, or exchange with the licensee's broker or brokerage, unless:(1) The licensee has first secured written permission of the owner or the owner's authorized agent and fully discloses in the advertisement the name of the listing broker or brokerage as provided in paragraph (G)(2) of this rule.(2) Where such permission is granted, a licensee advertising property, that is not listed with the licensee's broker or brokerage, shall disclose that fact, in the same or larger size type as the type used to describe the property, and the name of the listing broker or brokerage.(3) For purposes of this division, the term alter shall not include limiting informational parts of a listing, provided that by such limitation, the information is not inaccurate or misleading.So my understanding is that you can advertise it as long as you have written permission from the other agent and you advertise that it is listed by them and their brokerage.

They can prevent it if you don't live there too, but as long as you live there, it's permissible.

If you can find a relative you might be able to get them to open probate if none has been and then have them ask the court for permission to sell the real estate to you.Worse case you could just let it go to tax foreclosure and buy it then.

That means wholesalers need to stay away as they usually are not actually buying and paying off the loan.The owner will not be able to get permission to seller finance, 97% sure, the lender/servicer already has that property in their crosshairs.

If they are more or less desperate to get rid of it, they're in the process of moving and need it sold ASAP, etc - these are all personal things that may be affecting the seller's decision-mkaing that you just don't know about (things like this cannot be disclosed to you unless they've given the selling agent permission to do so).

Now you need to disclose to your agent your intentions and get written permission from the seller to assign the agreement.

Redfin estimate prices its value at 350K.The MLS listing states there are liens and violations.Listing agent told me there is a 600k in fines for work without permits.City will not give me any further info as I'm not the owner.If I have it under contract I can get the owners written permission to converse with the city. 

The owner gave you permission such as signing something turning possession over to you, or signing a lease with you.