I'm just worried  that it has soaked through the grout to the concrete underneath the ceramic and that the smell will return over time,and how toxic is it?

They're thicker and have a slightly different look, but for most purposes (non-high-end homes) the HD ones work fine.http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-Bright-Snow-White-3-in-x-6-in-Ceramic-Wall-Tile-U072-36-1N/100123655?

Is porcelain more durable than ceramic?

For example, in all our houses now, we put ceramic tiles in kitchen and bathroom.

I only use porcelain, but the big box stores run good sprecials on cheap ceramic, if it happens to be the look and durability you want.There's a local discount wood flloor place that sells prefinished hard wood flooring with good selection and good prices, but raw hardwoods, I go direct to the mill (which would only be for top of the line, to pay for all the finishing when pre-finished is so easy.)Some of these guys, I can call and order and I'll get just whay I want delevered.

It would also mean real hardwood and ceramic tile floors, high quality tile shower and bath surrounds, and granite countertops.Other than the exposed brick, crown molding and garbage disposals we do most of that stuff in our rentals in $120 K neighborhoods.

Despite my job and good education, MBA from a well known school I've done roofs, installed piers under a cracked slab, added a couple of half baths-doing all plumbing myself, installed more ceramic tile floors than I care to count, etc.Either learn some estimating and construction skills or look for projects that will create a major payoff from small changes.You're doing great, keep it up.

On maiantenance, I pay $27/hr for use of the PM maintenance staff for turns, routine work orders, and low-to-moderate skilled labor (paint, drywall, ceramic/laminate install, installing doors and kitchen cabs, light plumbing, light carpentry, etc.).

Ceramic can crack in fixtures, may just repalce faucets.Slabs can crack with wide quick tempature variations, the heat is off keeping the floor at a more constant temp.Check the windows and doors, there is more expansion and contraction in frames without temps controlled and mositure removed.

I've also replaced the bathroom floors with ceramic tile.