In my former career, I interviewed many highly educated people  - doctors, attorneys, judges, engineers, etc who were taken to the cleaners by scam artists - yet they refused to believe that the "investment" wouldn't pay off - they couldn't bring themselves to believe that they just flushed a fortune down the toilet - The fees associated with the "Mastery" program or any other GURU course is nothing more than flushing money down the drain - All of the information provided is readily available for free in many formats - what the student "investors" are paying for is someone to hold their hand while they jump in the pool - someone to make them feel like they have an edge that then gives them the confidence  to take that scary first step - to answer your question .... definitely Fortune Takers

One of my homes has had the sewer trap clog 3 times in the past year, with sewage backing up into the basement from the washer drain pipe.

It is usually a leaky foundation wall or roof drains sending water up against your foundation.

I have a sump area and french drain around the basement that gets piped out down to street level.

If your house is on a slab, it's going to be messy and expensive because they will have to tie the new drain line into the main sewer line running out of the house by relocating anywhere else.

., the sellers had decided to pour cement down the drains or took a sledgehammer to the foundation).Now, assuming your scenario where the offer is only good for 60-90 days and where I have the option of backing out or renegotiating should the property condition substantially change, I'd have no problem not have due diligence after approval.

Just heard some horrors from a friend who's building a custom home:contractor incorrectly sized his elevator shaft - now its impossible to put in an elevator.elevator 'pit' is full of water - no sump drain set upcracked septic tank installed with quick-fix patching to serious cracks.plus the builder was drawing from the construction loan(not sure of my terminology here) - faster than in the contract for his general contractor fees- plus 'early' for materials before they were procured.dumbwaiter shaft incorrectly sized.House is 75%+ there?

Rents never keep up with sales prices and, at this time, someone apparently has drained the tenant pool, leaving an awful lot of sludge and not much else.Still, it's typical real estate around here and a good market for those who like to buy low, hold a bit, and sell high.

I know why, but happy wife = happy life, so I flushed that idea down the drain. 

First thing that comes to my mind is wrenches to turn off water and gas in case of an emergency, then depending on how much work or maintenance your going to do, myself I do everything so I also have a truck with lumber racks and fully loaded toolbox with saws, levels, drills etc.Usefull stuff like snakes to clear drains.