When you have the 1st & 2nd floor exterior walls insulated you need insulation between them in the floor joist area only along the perimeter and it only has to come in as far as the thickness of the framed walls.

With property values increasing faster than wage growth, people are looking to perimeter neighborhoods to get more affordable housing CLOSE to the neighborhoods where they want to work and play.

Both buildings have hedges that are planted into planters that are 12"-20" wide and wrap around the entire perimeter of each building.

I have been on my hands and knees so much smelling around the whole perimeter.

If you can enlist a mentor (someone successful) to help you with the search and bounce of the deals with them.I'd identify your budget, your search criteria and the exact neighborhood / perimeter of where you'd like to be. 

I can fix the basement on my own (I am a contractor and have some experience with basement perimeter drains) for around $1,000.

For example, lights in hallways and around the perimeter of the building fall on you to pay, not the tenants.

Interior work: Frame first floor perimeter walls as needed for open floor plan.

Then consider installing a perimeter drainage system and sump pump if the bsmnt. is still wet.

Can anyone recommend a local (inside the perimeter) professional that you've personally had good experience working with?