You don't want to discover you can make $1,000 per year after you spent $100,000 to buy the property.  

In a secret chat that they invited me to, I sent a link to the RMLS sheet and some ARV comps in another link with a short explanation.

One of the biggest secrets in property management is that most companies never perform inspections.

You will discover so much value here.

The property condition will be discovered while the inspection is performed, and that is when you as the buyer will either demand that the current owner fix all those items, or buy the property at a reduced price.There are two thoughts on the credit card idea.

The only way to "turn" an owner into a seller of any kind is to talk to them to discover what the motivations might be.  

I've discovered this path of real estate a few months ago and am educating myself and trying to learn as much as I can.

Is there a penalty (or need to destroy the wall, or get city inspection if up to code) if city discover it?

Noticing that you say that you're planning on living in living in San Pedro, I'm going to share a little secret with you, that people outside of San Pedro don't know.

If we or the town later discovers faulty plumbing work, are permits pulled to review the original plans and will there be an issue if the person who performed the work isn't the person on the permit?