You should be able to assess when the transaction starts to go off the rails, not after the deal has become a dumpster fire. 

Hello - Is there a way to purchase a CMA (Comprehensive Mark Analyses) - type database to quickly run comps on a house? 

My partner bailed on the buy once he assessed the work needed.The tenants finally left & the price dropped to $63k so I went in @ $42k, cash, close in 30, no conditions.

I don't work on the servicing side, and wouldn't disagree with your IQ assessment, but something else to consider is that as rates continue to climb, people that used refinances as the bedrock of what they did for all these years while working for a loan servicer will need to either find something new to justify their existence, or become unemployed. 

Yes I would get each unit inspected and check with the HOA to be sure there's no upcoming special assessments.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The only way to save yourself is comprehensive financial education.

You can always count on someone to do something that directly benefits them.This is by no means a comprehensive list but it should be enough to get you started.

However, you have to assess if doing it yourself will actually save you money in the long run.

If they have photos of what's going on "behind the walls" then that will be very helpful for you to assess the real condition of the property.

Tax assessments are a good guideline to start at for what ARV might be.