Regrettably, everywhere has natural disasters, earthquake, wild fire, flood, hurricane, snow collapse.  

Figure out what that fear is and overcome it if you want to "Play to win vs playing not to lose".It's natural to be afraid.  

Could anyone offer any suggestions on the nature of the conversation I should have with the buyer's agent to go about helping me with my offer.

State laws/procedures vary but typically it is as Nick pointed out.....a title company doesn’t just decide who should get the EM, they need either an agreement signed by both parties, or a court order.  

The dogs have already begun to do a number on the natural wood floors that the owner just had redone so I can only imagine what this will look like a year from now.

I'm looking into the possibility/cost of adding an additional natural gas meter into my duplex.

It is in our nature to want to please people; but don't worry that will go away. 

You would need to follow proper procedure to define emergency in your bylaws.

I would naturally want to help that person. 

(and  why) B) any limitation of doing so as a foreign  investor that doesn't live in the US (but can fly our for the procedure if needed) Thanks Yonatan