Tearing down is more expensive and takes longer, especially when you factor in time and effort to get permits, zoning approval, environmental approvals, etc.

@Aaron WesterburgIt would probably be less effort to remove the vermiculate than to encapsulate it.

Of course, you have no way of knowing who will be responsible for what without suing, and that costs some money and effort, so you have to gauge for yourself what the likelihood might be that you get the other 50% out of the wife (or at all).

Usually the purchase is contingent to clear title and the bank will make every effort to sell a property with clear title (although the title is conveyed through a limited warranty deed or even a quit claim deed).

If you moved forward with them, I'd appreciate hearing about your overall experience with the mailings, coaching from the mentor and if there have been any deals as a result of your efforts. 

Just make sure to weigh your options in terms of risk and effort.

However, that space built out as a bedroom would rent for $1,000/mo easily, so depending on the extent of the difficult and resulting expense of the project it there is still a good chance it is worth the time and effort. 

Remember you are getting a lot of product for free so if it cost you some time and effort, call it payment and be happy.

@Jacob PritchardI anticipate that what happened is that at some point, he didn’t want to go through the effort of BRRRRing his 268th house and decided to move to a new challenge and let his portfolio generate income and equity.

She isn't pushy and genuinely wants to help.