What if the higher costs locally cause a significant delay in our ability to buy anything?

So far, you haven't really proved (here) your ability to find REAL "deals"! 

I am happy to talk through your specific situation and answer anything in more detail to the best of my ability.

As a bystander, you are limited in your ability to influence the outcome.

They came back with a bill and penalties and my CPA said sorry that must have slipped through! 

I'm staking my future ability to eat on living and working in Memphis, which I why I request substantive data when presenting a "run like the wind" from wherever it is claim. 

@Sean Walker Here's an interesting BP thread on the topic. https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/18...The bank issue might have to do more with credit rating of the loan and the ability of the bank to package your loan w others to sell.

After all is fixed and you show a bill fo 10k you get the remaining 2k.The adjustment should be a line item adjustment showing, material, labor, profit, and overhead.  

The ability to close quickly is always an incentive for the seller and often times, a necessity with distressed properties (i.e. tax sales, sheriff sales, foreclosures, etc.).

I liked the ability to walk through beforehand, have a general sort of inspection, and get the property with the owners already evicted.