Here's some teaser pix:Front of house:  Yes, I'm saving the front original metal bay window!

Sounds like she wants more of a Hoboken/Jersey City/Manhattan kind of location, and especially if you need livable during renovation for your sister and a roommate...it'll really unlikely be under $200,000 even now, and unfortunately, I'd be shocked if you found something 3+ bedrooms that met all of your requirements and that you could fix up and be all in for under $200,000.

For all he knew, the fuel line had burst or the coil failed, and oil or water was filling his basement.  

The first flip I did, I walked right by the giant water stain in the ceiling, and said "oh that's probably just a few rivets on the metal roof that need tightened."

You'd need to either keep it as is or paint it to match the cupboards.I've seen a variety of things used successfully as a backsplash - tin ceiling tiles, laminate flooring, even sheet metal - my best advice would be to just take your colors to the store and see what you can find that will pull everything together.

Copper coil ripped apart from walls and even ceiling.

I went to check layout and realized how contractor laid out tile left to right would put grout line on edge of metal strip from the house and I could imagine that cracking in the future, I made him take all of it up an redo it correctly.

Often very dirty) for lingering cigarette after paint (Some odors may stick to the grime on coils until the condensate washes the coils. during ac season. ) Put vinegar and a lttle baking soda in all ptraps maybe.

They are CPVC on one side and metal on the other and cost about $4 at Lowes. 

I just had both A-Coils for HVAC pulled out within the last 6 months..cleaned and recharged..no leaks were present per my HVAC guy and Condensers serviced.