.- They have changed their business model and are testing an instant offer option to visitors of their site.

Test him out, 12 an hour is nothing.

"President/CEO" is, likewise, immaterial.Whether or not your issuing securities subject to regulations is, generally, determined under the Howey Test.

You might want to shoot a test mailer out to local non owner occupied people at the price you are trying to sell it for and see what the interest level is. 

Their approach is "pressure tested"... it's been through all the market/economic changes. 

If I go to sell it in 2-4 years, will any portion of the property sale be allocated to rental use or does the 2/5 year use test apply here since I lived in the house before I turned it into a rental?

Ironically if you know that, for most small jobs by the time you are done dealing with a hire, you could have just knocked it out yourself and used the money to buy a nice dinner/bottle of wine.If you don't want to go the CL route, feel free to PM me.

The electrical can easily be inspected with a simple voltmeter to test continuities, voltage, etc.

The weather of Chicago and how various neighborhoods and suburbs react to the signs will test your patience and grit, but, if you can last, you'll have some leads.

Best of luck on the test, I suggest doing as many practice exams as you can get your hands on.