Every HUD property has a PC report (property condition report) which states what mechanicals have been tested and if they work.

There are very low cost options and if you have a great credit score and lots of equity (think desktop underwriting) you might even get one at no cost.

I want an honest and communicative lender that doesn't have DTI or bank statement cash flow requirements, that will lend on ARV, desktop appraisal preferred, that will lend up to 100% for purchase and rehab, that has a simple and convenient construction draw method not involving physical inspections.

Depending on your budget, I'm also a fan of the Mac mini with a desktop and an iPad for portability. 

She told me that I could pay for a full appraisal or a desktop appraisal but that doesn't guarantee an increase in the appraisal.

PC or mac?

I have a file cabinet for the hard copies and the digital copies are on my PC. 

I would like a basic bookkeeping software, desktop, that I can purchase and use until I want to upgrade.

I use Thunderbird on desktop, which creates a file on my PC that has my emails in it.As far as privacy, it's simplest to assume that any free-to-you "cloud" service is snooping your data, selling it to anyone with money, and giving it to the feds for free. 

One of the reasons I am not a great fit with corporate America or the PC crowd.