If the property is free and clear, absent some title issue that required additional work there is no justification for a release procurement fee or similar to be charged to the seller.If the contract includes language (such as in GCAAR contract) concerning “that portion of the settlement fee attributable to the seller” then this particular title company when confronted will likely change the name of this junk fee to Settlement Fee or add it to wire/courier.

In all seriousness: - Many properties listed as 1900 are actually far older since assessor records may only officially go back to 1900.- There's nothing wrong with old windows with rope pulley in the walls so long as you're not paying the utilities or in there every year reconnecting the weights! 

When one goes to official government sites, they have their new addresses, but some of the other ones are not updated well.They did leave the house full of the sickest porn one could imagine....and filthy. 

Next time, ensure your Realtor includes that language in the escalation clause.

It’s almost impossible to determine an amount unless a lien has been filed though.And, do Not bid on HOA foreclosures as any existing mortgage stays with the property.Until you are comfortable doing your own encumbrance searches on the Clerk of Court, Official Records site, get a basic title search from one of the online companies, about $50-$75, but they include recorded items only...you still have the chance of “unrecorded” liens...utilities, code violations, hoa, etc.

Residents of Jefferson County are not fans of the BWWB https://birminghamwatch.org/county-officials-field-questions-sewer-rates-hundreds-jefferson-county-residents/

You can be very flexible in how you write the terms, but they can involve a down payment, higher than regular lease payments, and a "credit" from those 2 things when they're finally ready to officially purchase it by exercising the option.

Do they need to provide proof in the form of an official inspection report?

All honest, all official documents. 

As of now, I haven't notified any official body, so I don't see how their credit score would be aware.I