However, I have noticed most say "court-ordered sale on registered half interest of property", so I'm suspecting divorce.

So, to sum it up, you often have the folks with the best management skills housing those with suspect personal management skills or at least with areas that could use in improvement.

We start to suspect that there is potential financial fraud because the board has been so aggressively fine the co-owners. 

Jeff,The difference is the definition in zoning - office is just as you suspect, it can be a business that operates out of a space but does not sell the product to the public from the space ( you can not walk in and shop), Retail is someone that sells a product or products from that space where you can walk in and buy something from the shelf.

I suspect you are not simply doing an option but a sandwich lease option.

I suspect you would be required to pay the previous taxes.You need to be very careful what liens you bid on.

@Shal Patel Do you suspect foul play or that anything was misrepresented?

I'd suspect they are in all markets.

I suspect there will be 'cord cutters'. 

Make a police report, suspect known.