The difficulty from what I see is that these sorts of scams are mostly small and local police are ill equipped to investigate and prosecute especially since most of the criminals are not local.

The best way to approach this is from purely a business and service standpoint; I'll say it again from a service standpoint - Owners will want to approach it as a 'partnership' whereas if they have issues, then you have issues and you share the responsibility of their dilapidated property or their ill performed decisions with them BUT at the same time some will want to nickel and dime you at every turn, in an industry that operates on nickels and dimes.... so my advice is for you to approach it from purely a service standpoint, no different than that from a landscaper, or plumber, etc.

Ill report back.

Ned, it means the transaction does not involve escrow, presumably all funds transmitted via wire, otherwise, we'll need a huge duffle bag.  

Without sounding like im pasting the board with an advertisement, ill be gentle.

If you sell the unit and someone gets sick, even dead mold spores can cause illness, you may well find yourself on the wrong end of a lawsuit, rightfully.If there is any insurance involved in this leak, I would contact them as well, and get some professional help.Here is a link for more info.http://fwdmagazine.com/sixpackabdominals/2009/04/21/how-to-get-rid-of-the-mold-from-the-house/ps. bleach doesn't work and you're liable to kill yourself from the fumes.http://www.moldacrossamerica.org/notobleach.htm

@Elijah Artman  Technically yes I am in California but the property is in Ohio, but sure Ill take credit for doing a deal "from" California!

Im sorry for your trouble new to the formula just buy houses in rural areas avoid low income because the following things you mentions thanks for heads up ill be praying for your success to get out of that property.

I ABSOLUTELY HATE regret. and I know that Ill regret the actions i didn't take in college later in life.

This means I will only have internal returns for a while, and Ill have to rely on appreciation for the investment to make any sense.