the insulation? I just found out that a house i am potentially buying has asbestos on the heating insulation . I will hire a proffesional to remove it , but what would they replace the insulation with?

Has anyone ever gone through this process before?

have the current owner remove it, then you will have NEVER owned it.
if you remove it, it's your asbestos forever.

fiberglass or rubber pipe wrap is a replacement.

Probably with fiberglass....

For most applications fiberglass is adequate. In other applications a ceramic fiber is used.

its called fiberglass duct wrap it comes on a 48" roll and you could do it yourself to save money.. if you must remove the old insulation I would negotiate that in the aking price of the home