I plan to get my  Certified International Property Specialist certification someday soon.  

Generally, closing costs involve these: loan origination fee (a compensation to the lender, around 1% of loan), loan application fee attorney's fee, lender's attorney's fee, credit check costs, PMI mortgage insurance title search & title insurance for lender and title insurance for yourself.Seller prelim Title report :: hazards report :: Agent Commissions :: Existing Loan Payoff :: transfer tax/recording :: owners title insurance :: 2,400 (0.35 * sales price) attny fees :: liens / judgments :: hoa fees :: prorated property taxes :: ttermite inspection ::repairs (demand by buyer) ::Buyer Appraisal fee Origination fee Pre-paid interest Pre-paid insurance Flood certification fee Tax servicing fee Credit report fee Bank processing fee Recording fee Notary fee Title insurance

I will have the certificate of title in about ten days in order to gain access to the property so here are the initial photos and a pick from the window...

I discussed this with an attorney and found out that the contract was valid and we had every right to move forward (the seller didn't just sign the agreement, but also provided testamentary letters and death certificate).However, I elected to basically do what @Jeff Rappaport suggested.

In the required documents, it shows "official transcript or course completion certificates for Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and/or one other required course"  This is kind of interesting... can I just read these two books myself to go to the exam test directly?  

The techniques FM uses are good. 

In case someone else from Massachusetts comes across this, it seems that all you need is a bill of sale:http://www.mass.gov/ago/docs/consumer/mhg.pdfOwnership of a manufactured home is usually proven by a bill of sale or certificate of origin.25 If you are buying a new home from a dealer, the dealer is required by state law to provide a certificate of origin.

I was wondering if there ante any seasoned veterans to the world of tax lien certificates that could help me out!

I have undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Technical Management and a Graduate Certificate in Program Management and a Masters in Organizational leadership.

Follow the law and get a certificate of occupancy.