This may be the best way in general, however you really should check with a cross border tax/legal specialist.  

I am a Canadian looking to purchase property in the US. I am looking for someone to help me set up a corporate structure as well as assist during tax season. Any recommendations? 

It is very unlikely and bordering on impossible that they had heat if the power was out for 3+ consecutive days.

Hi Brian,Welcome to BP, I am from Port Chester NY( border Greenwich CT) but invest a lot in CT.I do flips and rentals in Bridgeport, had done some deals out in Tolland, Plainfiled and Ansonia as well.Nice to see/hear from some else in the area.All the best !!!!!

The borrower is deceased.

Clues are: No one lives there, owner is out of state, there are lines from city for mowing the grass or code violations, owner is in jail or deceased etc.You may get owner to sign over property for their time instead of buying at FMV.

I just went through this,  My thoughts process was:  The prior owners were deceased there was a $149,000 mortgage owed citizens bank, and a small loan from Hud for $15,000 and a $8000 SBA loan. 

BUT since i believe that today is the 1st day of the rest of my life it is not...hardest things was finding people to trust there are a lot of sharks  out there in them there waters... and since  I live in Canada getting the whole cross border things sorted.Early errors cost big  but the mistakes  helped me get to where  I am today  even thought they had a huge price tag (40 000  Canadian ) I consider it a small cost to learn what i needed to know to invest for the next 40 years. 

You may have a contract with a deceased person but her estate and it’s financial responsibilities will dictate wheather or not they can afford to honor that contract or must sell at a higher price.

Any locals here who can provide some insight on the area around Cumberland, IN on the border of Indy?