However, in such a case there are several things that would need to be proven, the difficult one being that the theft by the contractors was reasonably foreseeable by the landlord, such that he could have, or should have taken measures to prevent it. 

Does having one prevent me from working with wholesalers?

I would hope and assume you have in the lease that you may enter with proper/adequate notice if they continue to outright prevent you from making repairs an eviction maybe in order see the former point.Thanks,MH

If they can verify that water is leaking they will shut it off to prevent the waste.

At which point individual overlays are basically what prevent veterans from getting TOO in over their heads (lender A has crummier rates but will allow 55% DTI, lender B has better rates and will only allow 45% DTI, etc).

They haven't done even basic preventative maintenance.

As long the nervousness doesn't prevent you from moving on good deals I think it's a good thing.

I honestly think I could have prevented this if I approached her differently when we inherited her from the seller we purchased the building from. 

(vapor barrier and foam insulation)* Ridge vent is totally clogged with dust, dirt or something that is preventing flow* There is a heat cord on the roof below where the furnace is located so I am sure the roof is hot in the winter and melts the snow which causes ice damn in the section.* vents and returns are in ceiling..so won't the heat come down and go right back up the return?

Vanessa Williams if you can prevent a foreclosure and make some money on it then it is probably a good thing for the property owners and usually for the lenders as well.