Get tight with your agent and lender on what quick patches you need to do so there will not be appraisal issues.

I went through a rough patch right around my first attempt at a flip and it almost scarred me forever!

If you're an innocent FTHB, I might suggest capping yourself at $750 or so, because it is a risk.Improvise and overcome:Basically you do dirt cheap bare minimum patch work so it'll have a clear Section 1 of the termite report, that way you aren't out too much if the seller bails on you, and then do the real work after you own it. 

We are heading to softer patch.

Some walls are stucco so need patching where has came off, flooring put down in addition (still plywood on floor), etc.Thanks for reading my long story!

Some walls are stucco so need patching where has came off, flooring put down in addition (still plywood on floor), etc.Thanks for reading my long story!

For a patch and paint, miscellaneous little stuff we deal with as LLs all the time, a handyman may do it.  

If the economy hits another rough patch, will values decline even more rapidly? 

If so you can patch the area that is leaking temporarily from the inside until snow melts, at that point you'd want to fix immediately as it will only get worse.

Overall Handyman cost was $350 for new shower plumbing (2 water stems to one, patch retiling).