I want to investigate this ASAP and assist in any way I can with your closing. 

Is there some kind of online private investigation resource?

People fail to investigate other sources of money before going "hard".

@Russell Adams the first step is to investigate the different kind of owner financing options available that work for you and the seller.You are correct, you will probably want a lawyer to go through your paperwork, especially if you haven't done an owner financed deal before.  

Personally I work as a consultant in a forensic engineering firm that investigates improper construction in Florida but we're way to pricey for a job this size. 

Instead of an hour long trip to investigate, determine cause, which will almost never be certain unless you were there and personally unloaded everything, and another couple of hours of re-ordering, re-coordinating, and following up, you get to say "take care of it".  

I have recently been investigating Indy more and more and starting to develop relationships there.

Rely on and follow your internal procedures to do a thorough investigation, particularly into his rental and work history.

That might be something to investigate for you and your dad to investigate and make your grandmother more comfortable with deeding it over.

Do some investigating on your own and findout from the city/county how long is the permitting process.