Is this common in the Chicago market or markets with high property tax? 

It's a function of the market cycle.Great postGino

This is a real concern, especially in competitive markets.

Document everything with photos and/or video.

Property needs some fixing, but I think has potential (especially in our highly inflated housing market).

Hi All and thanks in advance for any feedback / guidance, I am new to the US market and thought home inspections were common place when buying so any feedback is appreciated.  

We took photos, made videos, and were told that they generally do not pay for electronics like TV's, electronic ice makers, and Air Conditioners since it is hard to prove who did the damage or when it was done.

In our market p,umbers are crazy expensive but clearings are quite reasonable.  

I've been looking at markets across the US and Florida seemed great for us.

Make sure to bring in a good sewer cleaning/ scoping company and have someone with experience review the video they take.