As for plumbing problems and other issues, price overcomes all objections.

I would like to try to track down the previous owner, to get some relatively objective information.

It prevents the usual “try something for a few months and give up and move on to the next shiny object” syndrome.However, I would disagree and say that house hacking is a good start if it works with your family dynamics.

If a neighbor raises a serious complaint you will be forced to stop construction for a while and they can also object during the permitting process which would kill the progress. 

(I'm in your area so I feel your pain on sheetrock cracks. ) I can't imagine the owner would object as you're fixing up his house.  

It includes, among other things, a comprehensive map of the Cleveland area, grading each area from A+ down to F, using a consistent, objective and transparent methodology using publicly available data. 

But staying at Westlake though.My first objective is to find someone to fix up both properties and get them rent ready.

Then he raised several objections to the sale which tied things up further.

Negotiated with seller for several months until we made a plan to meet both sides objectives.

Some people call it “shiny object syndrome”.All of a sudden, right at the moment that you’re about to have success, one of your old high school buddies comes along, and says, “Hey, I have a way for you to make more money in a shorter amount of time.”If you haven't read Gary Keller's, The One Thing, I HIGHLY recommend you read that book a.s.a.p.