Problem is this house had been vacant for about 6 years and was in horrible shape. 2 or 3 big holes in the roof.

I once got a $250 fine for "harboring rats" and if I had sent in a picture of rat poison and the rat hole in the backyard filled in, they would have canceled it.

@David Dey  is correct that a contractor will have a spread in their bid (I interpret spread as overhead and profit) - after all, they are running a business... therein, in part, is their monetary skin in the game.  

http://mn.gov/commerce/licensees/Real-Estate-License/Salesperson-License/Who-Needs-License.jsp@Darnell PulphusRead this linkI recommend unless you are on title (contract for deed, sub2, wrap, installment sale on free and clear house in MN) you be re sales licensed as you are selling paperwork, and could be construed as brokering activities w steep monetary penalties @Wayne Brooks@Bill Gulley

Although it has not translated into a monetary gain yet, I have used the investor marketplace to market a property I own that I have for sale, and I have used the analysis calculators to make professional looking property analysis presentations in pdf format.I am hooked on BP and enjoy spreading the word!

Roofing cement applied over every nail hole?

I also don't have trim to cover up a hole.  

(To be clear I am not affiliated with this lender or get any kind of monetary compensation for referring you to this lender.)

I don't see an possible way to help that buyer legally, also someone filing bankruptcy will not qualify at the end of the term and they would never build up enough equity when they start 50,000 in the hole.

My end goal is to purchase for a flip, so I just wanted to be sure what monetary scenarios made sense when people call me back...