Since you are investing remotely you will want boots on the ground and logic says why not conduct all your services under one roof. 

You have to factor the rent average in Boston vs Tampa and then consider the cost of conducting a business.

To my understanding, all you NEED is your basic homeowners insurance while the flip is being conducted IF you are using a lender. 

A few reasons why they won't are (1) they'd have to find out, which means they'd have to conduct a title search, (2) their only recourse is to foreclose on you which takes significant time and energy for the bank, and (3) it makes the bank look bad when they foreclose.

Moved onto to google state bases and public records, but must not have been conducting the best search to locate the contractors.You like Davie too?  

Am I meant to conduct my property inspections AFTER I've already purchased the property?

If title insurance is not offered, then it's totally buyer beware and you have essentially the same risk as buying on the courthouse steps.Question 2:  You don't have much opportunity to conduct more due diligence than can be accomplished from the curb.  

First, contact the sheriff conducting the sale.

I don't conduct much business at home but very soon I'll be moving my desk and files from the desk area in our living room to my man cave in the basement as trying to do accounting with 3 little girls bouncing off me isn't easy!

If you really want to help your client it is better to work with someone who knows how to conduct a short sale.