However; it seems that what you would need is a Licensed General Contractor/Remodeling Contractor, that can look at the space and tell you whether or not the walls you want to open up are load bearing, and a beam needs to be put in to carry the load, etc. 

Simple oak flooring is hard to beat, especially if you are pier and beam and moisture isn't a concern.

Laser focus on the right areas for your price point.  

So that's the weirdest, here's the scariest (same house, no less):So if you don't recognize it: that's a ratcheting come-a-long (like you would use to pull a truck out of the mud) in the second floor, secured to a beam.

We had a contractor (who does a lot of foundation work) look at it and told us it can be fixed by reinforcing with steel I-beams and quoted us at about 5k to do it.

It is difficult to tell from the picture but if the wall is still fairly straight and the proper size beams and spacing were used you will most likely be okay.  

Pick a path and stick to it, do not bounce around thinking you will master all of them because in reality you will master none, stay laser focused.

Each unit could rent out for about $1,400.Required repairs due to city violations include (according to contractor quotes): $27K for brick work; $16K for roof (flat roof); $18K for wooden porch.In addition, we anticipate deferred maintenance of about $61K for tuckpointing the masonry (3 walls), $13K for HVAC, $8K for bathroom/kitchen renovation, $4K for electrical/plumbing, $9K for footings on foundation beams (foundation seems ok), $5 miscellaneous.

Now that that's out of the way...The biggest challenge that I see on the forums in asking about mentors is that the perspective student isn't laser-focused on what they want to achieve.

Matches closer to neighborhood, gives massive unfinished, basement that could be used for income producing unit, especially as its blocks from technical college and near university.Problem, high expense adding footings, foundation walls, piers, possibly engineered beams, not entirely sure county would approve multifamily use.For anybody in Columbia SC, the address is 3921 Capers Ave, in Rosewood.