in the Bay Area, willing to share a good deal with a stranger, be about the same odds as finding a unicorn dancing on a pot of gold?

LIkewise, why a city inspector/architect would voluntarily participate in any capacity knowing structural work is being done without permits.Hopefully the OP will keep us updated on the progress...I'm guessing there will be a lot of great lessons...

And in my experience, they don't voluntarily move out when they say they will, because they have nowhere to go and no money.

I like to have three distinct pots of money, rentals that cash flow, 401k and then an after tax brokerage account in the market. 

My bet is that he won't voluntarily leave and you'll be forced to evict him.

Geneva is indeed a melting pot, I am sure the socio-economic challenges you face in Lyons are not too dissimilar to Geneva.

Although I can make a great pot of coffee, that is not all I can bring to the table. 

I go to Home De Pot and Blowe’s for putting out flyers and my son likes making things with PVC pipe for fun.

Only proven crime was check forging and charges were dropped when tenant voluntarily checked into mental ward.

In my opinion this particular house isn't a great fit if you're looking to move in immediately since it could take some time to either wait for them to leave voluntarily or worst case evict them.