Get to know contractors and city inspectors, they will make your self a lot better.

I own an construction company and could help you out with any type of work your looking to get done.

Who do you want on your team (real estate investing is a team sport and does not start out a singular sport): Real Estate Agent, mortgage broker, banker, inspector, insurance agent, CPA, real estate attorney, property manager.

I carefully examined it inside and out (of course I am not an inspector).

I suggest to all of my customers to get their team (mortgage, appraiser, inspector, property management, etc) in place and then stick with them.

I'm not really sure what the real estate contract states here in NC, but in AZ the buyer has a specified amount of time known as the inspection period to which they are supposed to hire a home inspector to look over the property.

I haven't personally used them but  I have been referred by a few people that I have previously worked with to Jason Bhattacharya and Farrar Construction. 

The pipes kept freezing and there was a mold issue (the bathroom was like this when I bought it - not sure how my inspector missed it and it turns out the floor was rotting as well.My handyman couldn't get another tub surround in there and so he installed these wall panels/planks that were waterproof.

Have him take a construction loan which would be similar and will have flexible terms.

Get city inspectors in now, they will kick them out if not liveable.