Is there a mechanism that will allow this to happen? 

I'm sure you can obtain the plan-sets for the homes from them when you buy (arch. engineering, electrical mechanical) to have them approved by your state.

These seem like a gold mind to me in terms of cash flow, but I see several of them in seemingly good condition languishing on the market for months when more traditional homes in the city are under contract within days.For example, here's one such house I'm looking at that is very common around here:Asking price: $52,000908 sq ft, 2 BR, 1 bathNo garage, small lot, siding/roof are <3 years old and mechanicals are <6 years old. 

@Ericka Grant Are they running all new mechanicals for the washer/dryer?  

The house is between C / D but has a lot of updated features (42" wood cabinets, tile/wood throughout, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, wrought iron mechanical fence, and whole front unit is in great shape). 

This vehicle is much better suited to a rental property or as an investor loan mechanism.

Ask also for cost for finishing the rest of the job.If you file a PayPal chargeback claim, you can probably get your $$ in the near term (while it awaits investigation). the contractor will hate you, may file mechanics lien against the house, and his payments to his employees might bounce.Contractor's general strategy is to keep your money and work extra 'for free' to fix anything.Maintain a strict quality.

Luckily she is a computer programmer so she can do that mechanically.  

I would say bank statements, taxes, rent roll, leases, utility bills, worker contracts, 12 months of maintenance logs, capex report (age of roof/mechanicals), and a trusted local property manager of your own to help you review your data.  

I'm a mechanical engineer and I do a lot of work in the NYC area.