Also we are assuming people always know what they want…that is half the battle when working with clients!  

If the rest of the block is still single family, it'll be a harder battle getting a variance I'd think.

The reason is the battle is not worth it.Since you have no signed contract, it will just be a verbal war.

You could easily have a major Special Assessment just around the corner which will foul all of your planning.

Attorney slant on code may not jive with the state and then you have to go to battle at the administrative law court... and that is quite expensive..

The whole thing smelled of intellectul dishonesty my first time hearing about it.Its nice to be able to acquire the units for 40 cents on the dollar compared to what is then offered to investors.

Also to echo what everyone else is saying without some kind of signed affidavit from the roofer that he told you about the damaged sheathing (which I can't imagine the buyer being able to get a hold of) I think the buyer will have an uphill battle as the burden of proof lies with them and not you.

Any areas where there is stronger sense of, or more proactive community, where people are trying to clean up/out the area even though it may be an uphill battle?

Is it just finding properties with problems that scare people off (mold, junk, bad smell, etc) and buying those because they will be cheaper?

Just so you can make sure it doesn’t smell like smoke.