what's ya'lls opinion on this for a first time purchase?

Looks like a good price so if everything checks out it might be worth buying. As hubby says, anything can be fixed if you have $$$$! A new brace could be installed under that genny, but is it a telltale for what the rest of the frame is? Since you are not in a hurry---make sure you check it out well or you could just have bought a money trap big time.