So we are in the process of getting the lien release voided, and figured I would also reach out the prior servicer, which is still in business, to see the payment history, as my research showed they modified the loan in October, 2010, and they both signed it, so she was back on the hook, and they stopped paying in June of 2012, 19 payments later, so I figured unless she won the lottery, she did not pay it off. 

I was born and raised in Dallas Texas and I have experienced a bunch in my 59 years of living.  

We service Manatee & Sarasota counties. 

If the cracking is simply along grout lines and there are no raised edges, you could probably cover it with the vinyl (it will be hard underfoot).  

I do tell folks they can check with local utility companies that service the properties to find out what previous bills have run.   

For example, Dumont, New Jersey just raised property taxes 2.35% (above the state-mandated 2% cap), however their Rent Control Ordinance only allows Residential Landlords to raise rents by the CPI percentage, which is currently 0.008%! 

You can also screen applicants (debt-to-income ratios, income verification, background checks, etc.) through tenant-screening services such as TenantVerification.com, ScreentheTenant.com, e-renter.com. 

Easy: Mislead the seller with bogus clauses such as 1. subject to partner approval (your partner can be your dog)2. subject to 60 day inspection  (they are tied up doing lots of inspections)3. subject to financing (just be sure and don't try and get it)If you use enough weasel clauses you won't lose a dime, will have raised the sellers hopes, taken the property off the market leaving REAL HONEST POTENTIAL BUYERS behind, and started developing a reputation (maybe not a good one).

As far as the FSBO I subscribe to a service called beenverified . com to find current address, emails and phone numbers of people 

I was born and raised in Dallas Texas.