It helps keep moisture from coming up through the concrete and into your basement.

(I have had tenants turn the AC off when they move out or the heat in winter)- We require they have someone check on the property if they leave it for more than 5 days (This is to make sure there are no water leaks or HVAC issues that lead to problems while they are gone)- No businesses can be run from the property (to prevent day care, laundry services, gambling, drugs or who knows what)- We specify yard care includes week spraying and cleaning up sticks less than 1" in diameter (otherwise tenants think yard care is mowing only)- We state that tenants utilities can be used for routine maintenance or repairs (I once had a tenant complain the roofers were using his power for their compressors)- We have a whole section on mold stating that mold is naturally occurring and results from excess moisture.

I smelled bs and I did it anyway and we found mold in the basement ceiling rafters, caused by bad gutters allowing moisture into the basement.

I have my home inspection and termite/moisture inspection tomorrow afternoon and will be getting the official mortgage documents in order as soon as the inspections both satisfy me.I will be getting a conventional bank mortgage at 5.25% with 20% down and 2 points.

Moisture and laminate do not do well together. 

How did you address the underlying problems of excess moisture in the crawlspace?

You definitely don't want  moisture in there, otherwise you're looking at all new roof decking eventually as you mentioned.

With that you only need to lay down a vapor barrier, though most of the floors I have installed said they only need a vapor barrier if the results of the moisture test are over a certain threshold.

Based on the home inspection it appears there was a plumbing leak that lead to moisture under the home but the issue has since been repaired.

Outside items (like furniture) are subject to expanding and contracting as well as anything subject to moisture or mildew/mold.