Lets just "pretend" the property sold at the courthouse stairs "Monday".

It bolts to the cement pad in what looks like an hour's worth of work.

You might also look into changing the external cladding to a modern siding (if permitted): Vinyl siding or cement/fibre board will typically have a 25-30+-yr life (3+ paint jobs) and is much lower maintenance than wooden clapboard or shakes.

It has the foundation (cement) already done and it's in a nice area.

If you rely on someone else for snow removal and they don't make it there until hours after the storm the landlord is ultimately responsible if someone falls on the stairs or walkways right?

Lol I'm from China and I'm specialized in Fengshui (kidding) I know no Chinese will buy a house with 4444 as the address, some people try to avoid stair facing the door, some don't care.

Is that cement or stucco and mud over the bricks?

Stairs if upper unit is 2nd story.

The house also needs to follow HUD guidelines which means railings on all stairs, no peeling paint, etc.

For example you can not finance properties with health and safety issues for example no heat source, no flooring, broken windows, no stair railing, no smoke or CO2 detectors, pool with green water or empty, bars on windows that do not have safety latches and other things.Q.