I'm afarid that's the kind of thing that the building inspection is meant to pick up.
Did you get one? A building inspection is a good chance to discuss your ideas with someone who can tell you how feasible they are.
Realtors know lots about the external matters of houses but when it comes to the nitty-gritty of materials etc they are often pretty ignorant - it may have been an honest mistake not a blatent lie.

Maybe look into the cost of asbestos removal.