@Shelli Callan When you speak of language in listings and sales contracts, I hope you realize that Montana has a somewhat dated government/business environment.

It's really worth it to choose your settlement fee even if the seller is offering free title insurance to use their settlement company --- as they do with the auction sites.1200's are government taxes, recording fees, etc. 

You can lease out at higher rents but there is not assisted living,memory care etc. as that is highly regulated by the government. 

Is the value added through re-zoning, dividing the property into lots with the government, or adding a connection to water/sewer lines?

I like the self build model because in my region I wouldn't have to pay the 5% government sales tax when the home is eventually sold (personal house = no sales tax).  

The bones and utilities already exist so that saves you from having to deal with government officials who just want money for every little thing you do on a new build. 

v=3nFj_k6R8G0What's your state/local government's laws on disclosure of it?

I am under the impression that with the new lays governing the condition of properties and recourse taken by the city against these owners may work in our favor.Thanks, Joseph Cobern 

There should be a tag on the well with a number on it , take that info to the local government and they may have the specifications on the well , the depth, the recovery rate , the age , and possibly the size pump , talk to some local well drillers , they can give you an idea as to the possibility of the well going dry .

There is a steady influx of new businesses including tech companies like Facebook and Amazon into Columbus and as the state capitol, there is always a solid government workforce that is looking for housing.