I'd  certainly pay a company to conduct the title search (although I've heard it's not ALWAYS 100% effective.)

Ask a lot of questions about their experience, how they handle certain unexpected events, have they had financial partners before, references, etc.Basically conduct your own interview on them.

The difference between the subjects May 2017 sale price and it's current market value is likely due to recent, expensive renovations and a stronger real estate market in July ( the prior sale was conducted in March and the unit was mostly original with some needed repairs).

Seattle has a new regulation that prohibits landlord's from performing a criminal background check on prospective tenants.   Is anyone area of any other locations with this restriction?

The issue with home inspection is that you will have to conduct them yourself and it would be hard to find a qualified second inspector.

In RE, it's the subject of the transaction.If there is a shortage of any of those functions, then more of other aspects must be employed.I have no cash, so it takes more labor and entrepreneurship or management, substitute any of those to arrive at a successful conclusion.Credit is not a necessary function, but it sure helps in real estate and finance.Land is always present, you conduct your business someplace and in RE, it's the subject of the deal.You will need to provide labor and management if you have no capital.We can assume you know how to work.That leaves management, that requires an education!

Even if they dont have a recent phase I, make sure you conduct your own. 

Your state does not conduct judicial foreclosures, which is preferred for lenders.

Have you conducted market studies?

The only good thing about them is they have branches nationwide and I seem to travel a lot lately which makes it easy for me to conduct business when I’m out of town.