I've also asked about making use of the existing well/septic, although I anticipate on simply replacing same with the new construction.Our counties aren't very modern -- while tax info is available online, I still have to go to the courthouse to research any other liens/judgements against the current owner to see if there are hidden claims to the property.  

There was an existing wye in the main plumbing run that we thought we could tap into in the basement without having to cut into the main.

The costs reflected in this linked report are intended to estimate costs high and they are mostly based on the existing floorplan; HOWEVER, I am strongly considering floorplan changes that address the outdated layout.

I am looking for examples of hardship you can claim for subdividing land that does not conform exactly to zoning ordinances. The land is close but does not have the required sq ft. Its under by .2 acres.
I purchased...

In this case my seller wanted to stay in the building through the winter, which was fine as I’m not quite ready to Reno it yet, and she wanted to move her daughter into the upstairs unit when the existing tenant moves out November 30 which I negotiated a little as there is some electrical work that needs to be done first.

When you are ready to make an offer on a property, it is generally okay to put the contract in your own name (or the name of an existing company if you have one), then form a special purpose entity to hold that property after your inspection period expires: there is not need to incur the cost of forming the entity until you are committed to buy.

If you mean "Assumption" where you apply to the bank for the right to have the same rate and term as the existing loan, it's hit or miss whether you'd be able to do that.

@Davidson Francois I ask about it being new because the first year the home exists the assessed value is based only on the land, not the improvements (the house). 

There is a chance you do not possess paperwork from that long ago, in which case hopefully the former employer still exists and has records, you can also request tax returns transcripts from the IRS website or by filling out paperwork and mailing it in.Interestingly, banks don't do comprehensive criminal background checks (just for financial crimes specifically, though I've never personally worked on a loan where that came up, guess I'm not on the Wolf of Wall Street's speed dial).

If you buy it with a low down payment and make improvements raising the value, you can then later get a mortgage for typically up to 80% of the new value of the home and pay off the existing loan.