He also emailed me a list of unpublicized fees that I would be responsible for near closing time on top of the 25% down payment such as: Loan Fees Application Fee: $350.00 (due at time of application) Processing: $498.00 Underwriting: $195.00 Appraisal: $350.00 Flood Certification: $11.50 Credit Report: $27.50 Tax Service: $57.00 Rehab Fee: $500.00 Total Fees: $1,989 That would have been a $2,000 headache if I would have found out about these fees on the day of closing....

Get the lead base paint cert.  if

You may want to research and see if you can by the tax certificates on the property.Be very careful with these types of deal.Good luck

The owner occupied certification you have to sign when buying a HUD home asks you if you intend this to be your primary residence.

You already are getting inspection and title insurance.Since you mentioned it's a FSBO, then @Wayne Brooks gives good advice in placing the deposit with the title company or closing company.Now, there might be a need to get some authorizations for third-party disclosures (due to FSBO, no agents to assist) for things like any loan balances, unpaid taxes, unpaid lienable utilities (in my area there is something called tax and utility certification).

I used to think the K-9 Good Citizen certificate was a good alternative, but I've recently met too many unruly dogs that have it, like the testing got too slack or something.

There are a number of interesting websites having extensive information on tax lien certificates and tax deed sales.

If you use a licensed and insured contractor, they don't have to be "203k" certified, as FHA doesn't have a contractor certification.

.$1000-$1500 for providing nothing of value just sounds like that TC becomes an additional defendant in a lawsuit.The due on sale insurance provider can't even afford a free SSL certificate.

@Steven Wilson How quickly can you get at least a temporary certificate of occupancy?