They systematize there lending and if you don't fit the mold, you may get bad info.  3) shop around to get multiple opinions and options, 4) be aggressively engaged and don't accept the first second or third answers you're given and always always do your own research to fact check (google and BP can answer anything).   

I do all of the above and much more then could fit in a post. 

I get nervous about any guarantees in this space because they could offer a terrible deal or something that doesn't fit what you need, and claim to have fulfilled their obligation while never really offering in good faith.

Just walk in and exchange with the realtors.

There was a final walk through of the property, but, as I didn't know about the pipe burst, I didn't know to look for water damage (even after I was made aware of this problem, with an untrained eye, it's hard to notice issues besides some sagging drywall and water drips on parts of the wall) and some part of the wood floor coming up outside of the bathroom door.

With the average dock cost running $80,000 - $100,000 these days, it would be great pick up a dock below or within a 2 minute walk from your back door but anything longer than that may not appeal to renters that often. 

Or during a walk through, "Now sometimes I watch my mom's [piss and poop machine], would that be a problem?"

Just a "hello" as we walked by.

You might be able to get your Realtor to do that - for a fee at first (maybe applicable toward closing costs/brokers fees when you actually close on the deal), maybe even for free once you have a relationship with them and have bought a property or 2 or 4 proving you actually do make moves and they're not spinning their wheels to do a video walk-through for you. 

Thought I would share our success so far and some before/after pictures.We purchased our house in an up and coming Clearwater, FL neighborhood that is very close to the Pinellas trail (a great biking/walking trail that runs the length of our county and is a huge feature in our parts) and just 2 miles from booming downtown Dunedin, FL with tons of great restaurants, breweries, shops, and festivals.