If I saw any signs of pipes, holes, or repairs to foundation I would get it scanned. 

If the property has any issues that would cause someone to not be able to live there (roof, plumbing, broken windows, holes in the walls, etc.) those items would come back subject to repair on an appraisal and need to be fixed before you can get any type of mortgage financing.

I thought about Craigslist, but my experience with folks on Craigslist with updates and repairs for my own home were, uh...

I wrote a post on how to find comps and calculate ARV that you might find helpful: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/8814/68395-how-to-find-real-estate-comps-and-calculate-after-repair-valueTo answer your major concern, when you get comps that have a large range, there’s usually a reason that you have to dig deeper for. 

It needs a $15k structure repair right now?

Few issues with that is from the day you find to the day it is boarded is a month, and the likelihood of getting a borrower on the phone never mind paying on day one is not very common.

My opinion is, even if it costs a little more money, just make the call and get the repairs done.

Lets look at some exit strategies to determine how much capital you needIf you are wholesaling:  Costs: Marketing (rather small)If you are a buy and hold: Costs: Downpayment (can be hefty)If you are a flipper:  Costs:  High (downpayment and repairs)There are ways around it. 

Here are the numbers:Appraised Value $80,000.00Loan Amount: $60,000.00Monthly P&I: $490.25Interest Rate: 5.5%Amortized Over: 15 yearsVacancy $43.75 (5%) Repairs $87.50 (10%)Insurance $61.25 (7%) Management $61.25 (7%)P&I $490.25 (56%) Property Taxes $61.25 (7%)Total $813.75 (93%)Thanks,JT

We are purchasing the property and making the repairs with a hard money lender, so all cash.