But anytime I look at a property with an extra wide ROW at the front the two questions I'd pose are 1) does it seem like it is there for a future widening/improvement and 2) if not could I get that ROW vacated so I actually own that property?

It use to be a long as it was built after June 1976, on a concrete slab/permanent foundation, hurricane tie downs, concrete pilars, and skirting, never moved from original location, and must be a double wide. they would fund.But now a days lenders want nothing older than 20 years old and all of the above plus a engineers certification to pass. 

The lot is 31 ft wide so the units are larger than typical 3 flat - about 1200 sq ft each unit. 

I have searched far and wide turned up little on the matter of common expense allocation.

Pittsburgh has a pretty wide range of property values, but still affordable. 

use caution do not send any money up front no other company will ask for money up front other than appraisal but again even if they dont nick you for deposit money you dont want to lose the deal and or your EM when the lender cant fund.. there are NO nation wide Hard money lenders that do not have NMLS registration and state license.

But Fannie Mae's decision makes it a more widely-accepted practice.  

Wide enough sewer pipes to prevent blockage?

This is very important:  If you have a claim arise, a standard homeowners policy will likely not cover the claim.CBIZ is nation wide and should be able to get you a competitive quote.

Structural engineers have a wide range of expertise in different material types that would require me to entirely pivot my career field.Currently my thought is to limit my service to providing stamped drawings for permitting of minor alterations of existing wood frame structure such as windows, doors, and load bearing walls.