The 88% includes all real estate commissions You cannot do an inspection prior to having an accepted bid other than a visual as you cannot turn on utilities.  

Use the same dark finish as the cab next to the stove, and it will visually "bookend" the rest of the lighter cabs with the darker crown and facia.

Here is a concept that I have put together that works for the storage Idea while providing visual interest to the kitchen (mind you that this is a 3 level house with the garage below, but I think you can get the idea).

Although until then, I feel very satisfied in this creative & dynamic industry.

There's a bit of a learning curve but it's great if you are more visual http://gsg.phila.gov/map#dept=pcpc

I'm curious - can any locals weigh in here on what the dynamics are w/ school districts, what areas (if any) I should be avoiding, or any other advice/info on the area.

Color Pallet link click hereColor Pallet visualizer tool by Sherwin-Williams  Click Here This program picks complimentary colors to each other. 

It made the visually beautiful yards pretty much unlivable.

This aggregates everything into one centralized location and has fantastic visualizations that help track income, expenses, monthly cash flows and net worth.

This is why many of us agree on the basic dynamics, but the strategy reflects not so much the basic dynamics, but the application thereof to a specific marketplace.