@Dominic LucarelliHere are the code violations:#1 [Front of property] 302.7 Accessory Structures - All retaining walls shall be structurally sound and in good repair - make repairs to retaining wall#2 [Front] 302.7 Accessory Structures - All porches shall be structurally sound and in good repair - make repairs to porch#3 [Front] 304.13 Window:: skylight and door frames - Every window:: skylight:: door and frame shall be kept in sound condition:: good repair and weather tight - Repair door frame#4 [Throughout] 304.13 Window:: skylight:: and door frames - Every window:: skylight:: door and frame shall be kept in sound condition:: good repair and weather tight - Repair windows#5 [Front] 304.10 Stairways:: decks:: porches and balconies - All stairways:: decks:: porches:: balconies and walkways shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair - Repair walkway and stairs#6 [Front] 304.12 Handrails and guards - Every handrail and guard shall be firmly fastened and capable of supporting normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition. - repair handrail#7 [Throughout] 302.4 Overgrown weeds or grass - All premises and exterior shall be maintain free from weeds or grass in excess of 10 inches - Cut overgrowth#8 [Throughout] 307.1 Accumulation of rubbish or garbage - Property must be clean of all rubbish or garbage - Remove all rubbish and garbage-#9 [Throughout] 305.3 Interior surfaces - Cracked or loose plaster:: decayed wood and other defective surface conditions shall be corrected. - Repair walls

Not that I'm 1/2 was in to the demo I found a rotten beam, two completely in supported joists, and the entire down stairs is still functioning on live knob and tube wiring!

But, this only includes adding up to 700SF of an addition and full interior remodel, not structural, dormers, or moving stairs with out full plan review which takes 4 months currently.

Things like stairs and windows may no longer suffice.Lastly, changes of use normally trigger code and zonign issues.

The owner tried filling it with cement, but that was just superficial and did not address the actual structural problem.

All nicely painted in full view.I have also seen one with 8 inch steel I beams with large steel plates imbedded in cement piers every 6-8ft around the perimeter of the basement.

I really liked how nice it was and I got to know the neighbors and they're really great too.Purchase price = $31,500Rehab = $6,000 (approximately)Work done:+ Painting all rooms in the house (needed primer to cover ugly colors) + ceilings and trim+ New rainfall tub/shower faucet + plumbing+ New ceramic tile tub surround and tile base around the room+ New toilet+ New glass block window in the bathroom+ New windows in the entire house (except for large picture window), double-pane vinyl windows with tinted UV protection+ Basement laundry tub plumbing repairs+ New water heater+ Drywall replacement in upper bedroom around stairwell+ New outlets and switches in all rooms+ New light fixtures in two rooms+ New kitchen floor (sheet vinyl) also used on back hall and stairs to basement+ Miscellaneous (some new cabinet handles, smoke detectors, CO2 detectors, door knobs, new locks, curtain rods, curtains, light bulbs, grass cutting and gutter cleaning)Rented out at $875/month + utilities.The tenant I have is actually one from one of my other rentals. 

She did ask if we could replace the carpet on the stairs, and I said we cannot afford any more upgrades.

If you don't - keep marketing it.Here in CT we have more over/under units than side by side - and even if all units are above ground you will still find that some tenants come in and are willing to pay more to be on the top floor ("I like that there's no one above me") and some will pay more for ground floor ("I hate carrying groceries up stairs").

The laundry room (unfinished cement floor) is adjacent to the bedroom where the majority of the water damage occurred.