You can dress the pig in any clothes you want but it is still a pig.

That alone would have been a savior for you.If you find it is consistently damp down there, you might also look for a good dehumidifier that you can put on a timer.Travis

Dirt on my clothes, dirt in my dishes, dirt in the shower, dirt on my makeshift furniture.  

Are you saying you can't buy food gas, clothes, electric, ect on 500 a week and bank the rest?

It used to be a clothing manufacturer and the owner is looking to sell due to lack of money in completing the project.

Based on stuff I've seen, you probably have cloth covered Romex through that house, or 2 wire BX.  

We didn't use welfare per se, but bought our clothes in second hand stores, ate lots of beans, etc. 

Washer's fine, but dryer takes 2 cycles to dry the clothes, and one tenant is complaining.Should we replace the dryer, and if yes, with which brand of COMMERCIAL dryer (maybe Speed Queen?)

I posted a link in this next thread to a government paper on damp basement problems and possible approaches to a solution:http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/67/topics/74907-easy-fix-for-a-damp-basement

My newest property has a "damp basement" no obvious leaks or puddles but after the last heavy rain in Dayton the basement was quite damp. my thoughts are fill in cracks DE humidify clean and seal and paint. some black mold forming. upstairs completely dry no sign of mold etc.What should my next step be?