Yes, the costs can be astronomical in dollars, time, invasion of your privacy via discovery, and emotional stress. 

With the vigorous interest in international investing evidenced by this thread, the core focus should be investing in countries that have recently been conquered: Ukraine, Venezuela, Gaza, Cuba, East Timor, Spain, Portugal (the latter two conquered by a soft invasion as opposed to military invasion, just obnoxious expats driving prices up so much that locals cannot afford to live in their home towns anymore). 

Was invasion of Iraq not pre selected?

This could make sense to do between tenants but I'm not sure it makes sense to opt for an invasive test of the house when again I don't suspect actual safety risk. 

Nor Russia or anywhere Communism came other than invasion like Germany or Poland.

Carter responded to the Soviet invasion by embargoing grain sales, banning technology exports, and prohibiting U.S. participation in the upcoming 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics.

It is invasive.

You don't want to make it too invasive just to take a look around... 

The electricity has turned off and the utility company is asking for invasive personal info (say what you want, but it is invasive).

Even in a less invasive county, I’d start by scheduling a pre-application or “concept” meeting with the planning or permitting department before doing any work.