He owes them some money for work that they did and they filed a mechanic's lien on his property 3 weeks after he received the bill which was also one business day before he was scheduled to sell/close on the property.

Would you want a honda mechanic to change the oil on your Porsche?

Its best to close it out gracefully, otherwise he may put a mechanics lien on your property. 

I've scheduled two quotes with TDH Mechanical and no one has shown up both times.

Most mechanical meters should be an easy change out or repair. 

I currently rent and am very frugal , no debt, drive a used car, have a roth ira etc  I have an opportunity to get a 1980 4 bed 4 bath ranch duplex ,full basement , one car garage per side,, new roof, original mechanicals duplex from a family member off market in a solid B to B+ area/country setting 1.5 miles outside of east side of city of 150k people.

Unit turnovers have been way too slow, usually taking 3 months just to get rent-ready (all cosmetic, no mechanical replacements).

Now that I am seeking tax pro's through BP portal, I am hearing that there are NOT mechanisms to offset my W-2 income because it is a mid-term rental, and I make over 150k.

Kitchens, Appliances and relocating plumbing for revised kitchen layouts, adding in-unit laundry etc. are what generally drives these apartment renovation budgets assuming the mechanicals don't require complete upgrade or replacement. 

Best Value adds are:Updated kitchen, updated bathrooms, cosmetic remodels.Additional bathrooms - finished basement spaces, in unit washer dryer, central air, additions/alterations.All of those are useless though if your roof is 30 years old, your mechanicals are from pre 1950's, and your home is in dire need to be renovated "behind the walls"Otherwise the above will increase your value but you will be left with Lipstick on a Pig