I highly recommend reading All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood.

Later i found out why the cats were there...the local feral cat society set up shop behind the shopping center creating a make shift habitat for these feral cats, and would even come by and feed them on a very regular basis. 

You have joined the society where you don't have to pay for an education, help, advice, or support.  

The price is equivalent to $171,000 for a minimal modern home.  

"Profit" is becoming a bad word in our society; and there are people in every industry / field that give others a bad name... 

That would open the wall in the kitchen to enable another cabinet but it would at least make the living area seem less consumed by the fireplace and would make it more modern looking which would make your appraisal come out a little better when you refi and would help you get better tenants because it would look more attractive.

Is this something modern banks have forgot about?  

Menace to society that guy...Trust me, there are worst things out there.

Or, if your building is in a pod of say 4-6 units, separate from the others, find out what it would cost to fix YOUR building and then feel out the other owners to see if they would be willing to split the cost.Don't sue yourself...Sorry to sound harsh, but we live in such a litigious society that it drives me crazy. 

I would hate to have that gene pool added to our society.