Our highest bidder, a downtown-based construction GC business, could not tell us what grade of lumber was quoted, would not share what brand of garage doors they used ("local vendors"), would not identify their steel beam and column supplier or water service vendor.

Who is going to do the lumber take-off?

If transparency about contract assignment is such an issue (which I personally don't think is, because what matters to seller is money and house off shoulder, not the business model of people involved in unloading his burden), then I believe new MD Law passed this year will take care of it.

I haven't yet found a pressure treated and fire rated lumber or an intumescent paint that can be used for exterior applications.

Lumber Liquidators has good stuff for under a $1/SF and I install it myself, which is easy.

What would the point of that be other than to unload the property at its peak.

You can go high-end and spend $100K, or you can go mid range and still spend $100K because you needed to build a large deck on a steep slope with lumber costs at it's 2021 peak.

Wood rot is certainly serious, but depending on the extent might only require sistering new lumber besides the compromised sections.

There were over 60 units vacant for some time and were only able to unload half at a public auction, leaving another 30 units vacant.I bought one unit for my sister as an owner occupied unit with her bidding at the auction.

Selling will make you lose more because it would be unloaded for much less than you got it for when the problems are disclosed.