If your agent hasn't done that he needs to or you're shooting darts in the dark.

Only actual fire damage is in the kitchen and the rest is smoke damage, I contacted my first hard money lender and because the purchase price was too low they weren't interested.

Do You Change the Locks, Check Smoke Detectors and Make Sure There are Adequate Peep Holes Before Every New Tenant?

I'm thinking this is high, but it is a lot of work and they are providing all of the recessed lighring, materials and that includes adding hardwired smoke and CO detectors throughout the house.

But appraisal is honestly kind of a dark art in my mind.  

Until you understand the myriad of different strategies, you are just taking a shot in the dark or following someone else without accepting personal responsibility for your own investment decisions.

Meanwhile I'm interested in video cameras in the laundry room as we've had some users from the neighborhood sneaking in to smoke.

Based on your original posting it seems like you are taking a shot-in-the-dark because of the "free" home and lot rent.

If you can't stand the smoke... 

His argument is that he specifically looked for a lease that didn't stipulate NO SMOKING so that he could smoke inside his home.