Condition your offer on the 4-point, financing, insurance, and vacant possession (aka "get your stuff out by closing; no tenants without your prior vetting/approval, and no commitments to rent are outstanding).Get out of your way and go get yourself a great deal...and know, sometimes when we lose a deal - it's actually a win.Best...

For example, say you bought a str and the prior landlord tracked the cost for the improvements he made, you can take the cost of his improvements and bifurcate from the cost of the home and accelerate that piece of depreciation.

Then we would make it clear for the guest to leave the key prior to checkout.

This was the rule prior to 1998 (I think was the date).

I would suggest buying a ltr and getting to know reliable construction folks prior to taking on a construction project.

Next year, I'd try to find someone on a 3-4 month contract prior to the holidays.  

Either yourself, or pay a GC a small amount to give you a bid prior to submitting your offer.

And if there are open permits that have not yet been closed, make sure the seller takes care of them prior to closing.

Do you know what repairs are needed PRIOR to inspections? 

I don’t think anyone will leave a bad review because they didn’t know you had a structural beam/pole in your house prior to arriving.