It will be cheaper and easier than trying to get the seller to do it (for an REO), and while it's a PITA, if it will help you sleep better at night, it's worth it.For what it's worth, I did this for the first 5-10 properties I bought, and the peace of mind it brought was worth the effort/cost.

Dan I would just look at how many hours and money you will need to put into this deal and what is the return versus working on other deals.I fit is a difficult deal but I make a lot I might take it on.I fit is a difficult deal with close to or the same margins as easier deals I might pass on it.I second talking to a probate attorney.You need to know for your state what the options are.Probate properties can be a nightmare when the heirs want different things or disagree on the value of the property.

I had a vision but it changed several times, used friends/family for suggestions quite a bit which made it easier.

Some lenders require the borrower closes in the name of an entity because it is much easier to show the loan was “business purpose” rather than a consumer loan, which makes all the difference in foreclosing, loan pricing, etc.

It ignores vacant unit, clean up and marketing between tenants, eviction costs, damage, routine maintenance like the roof, hot water heaters, appliances, lawn care, snow removal, etc etc etc etc that are all real costs whether on an annual or some other recurring basis.In most places, if you can offer an investor a property with little deferred maintenance that is generating rents at 2% of purchase price, they are going to jump all over it.

Thirdly, a 20% of gross rents factor for maintenance and vacancy is only accurate if 1) the property is FULLY stablized (new roof, new furnace, new windows, and so on)--and most of the TKRs I've seen do NOT meet this standard by a long shot, 2) if the property is VERY aggressively managed--heavy screening, prompt eviction, quick re-rent--a practice not common amongst most property managers, and 3) aggressive maintenance is done to maintain the capital repair items (changing furnace filters bi-monthly, cleaning gutters in the fall to avoid failure, maintaining metal roofs, cutting back trees to avoid roof damage, etc--again, uncommon amongst property managers).

It would make replumbing the bathroom much easier and running any electrical would be simple.

The next one should go even easier for you.

Especially if she doesn't cause problems, keeps her place clean, always paid on time in the past, etc.

.* Other preventative maint, such as cleaning gutters