I check there for mechanic's liens that the contractor may have placed against properties and judgments that have been rendered against the contractor.4.

My mother in law realizes that I want to make a profit, but at the same time I don’t want to screw her out of her hard earned equity.My contractor and I have gone through the house, checking all the mechanicals, roof, foundation, etc., and it is in great shape, it just needs a lot of cosmetic work.Further, the contractor I used is a bit on the expensive side, so I do have a little buffer there.

Hello BP,My trade is an automotive mechanic, but I am interested in switching gears to real estate. 

Most likely the architect would have structural, electrical, and mechanical engineering included in his fee.

My daily job is a second shift job where I repair 18 wheel tractor trailer trailers (so I am a mechanic).

It's a good way to put money in your pocket if you can come up with an effective mechanism for finding good deals.  

Or does it have to be structurally/mechanically related or legitimate? 

Closing on a property this week in Holiday FL. and trying to put together some bids for replacement of the major mechanicals and general electric.

It's doubtful if they already have full recourse against the current seller.Always love to hear the mechanics of a deal and how it played out.

Most of the 70K+ houses you are talking about have serious structural issues, mechanicals have to be fully redone, and permits take time and money.