Open permits can also be checked by calling/visiting the city or county.

Kitchen/Bath - I've heard many realtors talk about this and claim a seller would *always* get a nice return on a either.   

If it is a great deal like you mentioned it will likely be gone by the time you find and schedule a GC to take a visit.

If I ran only when the weather was perfect and everything was nice I would hardly ever get started.

Close to everything and nice beautiful old neighborhoods. and if we ever get 50 inches of rain again were all moving up North! 

No personal visits (meetings).

You will find that most people book their vacation only a month or less in advance anyway, so most people will pay the lower base fee, but it's nice when you get those bookings at a higher rate every once in awhile

The engineers' opinion initially should speak to the severity of the issue.I'd break down an engineering engagement into 2 parts:First would be an initial visit and rendering an opinion on the severity and possible approaches in design to remedy.2nd would be the actual design and cost opinion(s) to remedy.If you're pretty serious about the house, I think if you pay the $250-500 that I think you'd likely need to do the first, that would be a GREAT investment more than likely from what you're describing. 

Message me, I have a nice house in Land Park coming up.

It seems longer than just a normal visit, sure...but does the longevity really mean anything?