The process looked like this:  TSP wash and degrease area by switch plates, scrub baseboards, scrub angle turn valve, scrub top of vanity light bar, scrub top of door frame...then cut in ceiling of each room, then remove exhaust vent cover and vacuum around it, then paint ceiling of each room, then paint baseboards, then cut in wall color (which actually means entirely paint some tight areas), then apply first coat of wall color, then apply second coat of wall color, then hit the cut in areas again where there aren't two coats. 

Painted both of the bedrooms I rented out (one of them was a horrendous blue color) and did some cheap curb appeal fix-ups (mulch, cleaning, etc.)!

For us to put HVAC in it is going to cost about 60k more with rewiring, replumbing and ducting. 

For us to put HVAC in it is going to cost about 60k more with rewiring, replumbing and ducting.

The most expensive part of adding forced air to a house without it is the duct work, followed by the actual air handler and compressor. 

Take account of major systems conditions: plumbing, electrical, HVAC (including ducting), gas, foundation (check leveling).With that estimate, you can now decide which items you can do with your buddies and which should be done by the contractor.

Any color on how this has worked for you?

And yes, I really do not get a good feeling about tatted head to toe women and people with weird hair colors and piercings.

Dark colors. 

To that end we plan to change the color.