Then you've opened Pandoras Box and you instantly have the guys in the HazMat suits with fans and plastic sheets all over.....and a bill for $5000 for something you could have done for $50.I used to do this kind of work on the weekends when the city inspectors weren't driving around :-) haha , one time the hazmat guy come down to check for asbestos checking ; it wasn't that bad it's actually 2k and insurance company for that in my case.( To be honest, the house with water damage is good to buy because it scares the potential buyer, but if it's located in good location we could sometimes purchase the house with 10-30% discount lol but nowadays even FTHB knows this secret too so they still overbid the house )but yeah, to the OP, if you want to be sure you have to cut the drywall, the more the better.

The first step is speaking with a loan office to get a better idea of what you qualify for, and then start figuring out where you want to live and analyzing deals.

You would get significantly better terms.  

Sometimes, cheaper isn't better.

If you can do those two things, you'll be better than 90% of wholesalers and investors are going to desperately want to work with you. 

Nothing better than hanging out in the hot tub and watching the deers walk by!

You'll sleep better and it will increase your property value.

Although it’s my first property, I do have other personal assets that I’d feel better if they were protected in a worst case scenario.

Hire a great real estate agent who can market the property better than the current agent (or you, if you're selling yourself).

To me better than having a full time neighbor.Maybe that is a demand driver.