What preventative maintenance did he do to ensure that a neighbor kid doesn't accidentally throw a baseball through a window? 

The borrower knows that the funds are available but you maintain some control to ensure the $ go where you expected them to go.  

Basing it off of an investor who did well but all of the 3 three areas that I mentioned line up for them but won't for you ensures a problematic investment.

Ideally, a tax escrow payment has already been established on the account to help ensure taxes remain current going forward.Bob's approach will work if the borrower agrees to the large escrow payment. 

To ensure a title is free and clear. 

You also should request before, DURING and after pics of all the work to ensure that it's being done and to your standards.  

Dave, the rents are indeed month to month so this could explain, and yes, I will need to see every single corner of the house and intend to do so... my question was if there is a possible clause that can be put in the offer to ensure it or if I just should not put any formal offer in writting unless I have seen everything.. 

Others simply want to ensure that there is enough equity in the property to protect themselves if a deal goes bad.

Here in the north, that means higher solar gain on south / southwestern exposures to capture heat from the winter sun (you need to ensure the window is shaded during the summer months to avoid over heating) and more thermal glazings on northern and eastern exposures.

Any new lender will want to ensure your old debt is satisfied not to mention some form of home payments over the last 12 or 24 months.