As others pointed out, the entry steps are a serious tripping hazard, the support posts may need to be reinforced and the bricks should be filled/sealed in all bad areas and then painted (your most inexpensive option).

As an update for those following or finding this post later, the elderly parents who own the property made a trip to visit the house and check on their son. 

Either Pace's house, camping trip, He will even crash local Subto meetups.

But there is always a motivating factor for them when they actually do take my offer: foreclosure, divorce, probate that kind of thing.I've had no success in buying when the owner lives in another neighborhood and has no motivation.One hoarder I moved required 7 double storage lockers and a lot of truck trips for my helper.

Trips you take to visit them become a write off, as long as you have investment property purchased in the area.  

I'm planning a trip to Scottsdale in two weeks.

The first trip around the Monopoly board ... you pick up as much property as you can afford and if you can't pay cash, you mortgage it.  75 of the last 80 years real estate has appreciated.If you can't afford it, the bank most likely won't loan on it based on their guidelines. 

We are faced with this on occasion but if you make a trip to your local municipality (if accessible) They usually Fix the problem for you.

It offers travellers an opportunity to rent verified and professionally managed homes for their trips, which can provide more peace of mind than renting from an individual on Airbnb.

In MN, a trip charge alone starts at $150+.