You don’t need to give your name or address, but they’ll tell you what you need permits for and what not.

Also a good deal for him to beat his 401k or whatnot.

As to the friend/6mos route, are the downstairs and upstairs completely separate with outside access and whatnot? 

By taking action, you learn what works and what NOT to do, and then you become smarter and smarter and make better decisions.

Lots of rent potential there, depending on local rules and whatnot. 

For example I have only college aged people living here, it'd be pretty weird if I had 20 year old girls and a 40 year old male.An important rule is establishing quiet hours, this helps everyone out in the end.Some of my tenants have complained about dishes and what not, but I encourage them to address that with their roomate, and it generally works out.

I usually add in a contingency for a sewer line on older homes if its with a bank or what not.

For stuff like their SSN and what not, you would need their permission.

In short, I am nervous because I am not sure how to request an inspection without offering and what not.

Time is usually what hinders a lot of them, as some average 80 hour work weeks and whatnot.