But all is rarely equal, one or more of you is probably dead weight.

A dead possum?

.: 1,455Lot Size: 6,970Parking Sq.Ft: 480Last sold price: $119,000Redfin Estimate: $258,92070% Rule - /$25 per sq. rehab = $144,869 offerProperty Lead #3: (this one looks like grandma might be dead and propped up in there)Year Built: 1958Type: 3/1Sq.Ft.: 1,055Lot Size: 7,841Parking Sq.Ft: 307Last sold price: $48,500Redfin Estimate: $215,24070% Rule - /$25 per sq. rehab = $78,894 offer

Thank you Chris.To quote the Grateful Dead, "you ain't gonna learn what you don't want to know!"

Any advice or am I dead in the water?

Both buildings show evidence of dead termites.

If that is the case, and the legal owner of the property is either dead or unknown, how do you provide good notice?

Sadly, my uncle had some psychological issues and at the time of his passing in October 2014, he had allowed the house to deteriorate to the point where it didn't even have working restrooms, the roof was missing in places, about 70 dead mice were found throughout the property dying after eating electrical parts from knob and tube wiring, the entire basement had over a foot of standing water and we found several nests of black widows. 

Neither @Ned Carey, @Steve Vaughan or @Cameron may be tax accountants, but they are dead correct.Repairs and maintenance made BEFORE a property is put into service are added to the basis.  

Lastly even with a big deposit make sure you stress approved paint colors if they are dead set on painting purple then make sure you hold deposit not the title company and make sure you have enough to repaint if they back out.