I would take a move in/move out inspection form, and a camera.  

I have my first commercial property under contract, and we are getting closer to a close date, however things still keep "popping" up last minute on the bank end.

No inspection will tell you everything that is wrong with a unit or what may come up down the road. 

I spoke to him (the son) briefly yesterday as I was at the property for the home inspection - he said that him living there has been part of his "compensation package" from his father for managing his father's properties.

Low risk, Low DTI inspection, Low work (someone else finds the deal) and often without any personal recourse if it goes belly up.

So now I’m going through the inspection time and I kinda got screwed on their counteroffer cause they accepted my price (299,000 on a 5br/2bth 3000sqft In Portland, OR) but they wanted to cut my inspection time in half from 10 to 5 days.

If nothing else, an inspection report is a negotiating tool.

We have to rely upon the process of authentication and yes, we will issue title insurance (absent red flags) and that insurance will cover problems with the execution of docs such as fraud or forgery.I get the foreign stuff but as a lender rule NUMBER one is don't let your Originial loan docs go to anyone but the closer.. or as you state a mobile notary who has insurance.. 

After talking to a few people, I am contemplating the idea of getting into home inspections as a career path.

Hi @Sara Taslitt - As others have said, you'll want to hire a reputable inspector to perform a thorough inspection of the older home.