Does an inspection look into all of that, or is there only so much they can check?

I am in California and the market is just crazy so I waived all home inspection contingency when signed the agreement and didn't get a chance to do much research on the duplex when since the offer was due five days from listing.

Get a home inspection on the property (this is pretty standard).

If you do cash for keys, do NOT give them the money until after they are out and you've inspected the place.If they won't leave, push back closing or cancel. 

My fiancé and I will be covering all closing costs and inspections costs.

Lesson learned here is start working on your investor documents immediately after you've completed the bulk of the due diligence activities including financial reviews and physical inspections.

Put in about $2,300 in minor repairs from inspection report.

Took over the property and immediately hit them with an inspection, an appraisal and repairs.

Common contingencies are inspection, financing and appraisal.

But the inspection reports didn't suggest any driveway repair.