Consider who your target market is, what are the norms of that market, then if there are aspects that you want to avoid you'll need to provide contractual covenants to manage those undesired aspects which are legal.

The reality is that he has to do weight and viscosity checks constantly on his mud and has to time pump strokes and figure out volume and pressure to make sure his pumps are not leaking or need a packing repaired. 

It's possible that the configuration of the lots makes it difficult or undesirable to build what the HOA requires on those lots -- or is difficult to adhere to HOA covenants while still adhering to zoning rules. 

You can skim coat  the paneling with drywall mud to get rid of the groves .

In fact, not even sure it makes sense here...For example, 1 bed/1bath is a very limited market to work with which means you can have a struggle trying to move it forward and  the hoa alone  is super high, just these 2 factors alone are undesirable. 

It isn't easy to find extra money for a down payment, at this point and so it kind of leaves us in an undesireable spot to be in.

might want to call some mud jacking companies.  

All of these things are experiences to me, both good and bad, desirable and undesirable, but experiences nonetheless.

Required work:Electrical wiring and fixturesPlumbing fixturesSheetrock install/mud/paint Flooring (currently exposed is half slab and half old flooring)HVAC repair/installI appreciate any input!

Or, if not abandoned, left to set long enough, damp and full of mud, that they will have little value.