It has solid surface countertops in the kitchen.

We may see some forclosures in the luxury segment, but they will not surface untile 2021 or 2022.

Your "big-ticket items" are Roof, HVAC, extensive landscaping (tree work), and hard-surface flooring.

Other than the surface advantages (such has shortly loan, lower interest, etc), are there any other advantages? 

As @Alecia Bolton says people do all kinds of things that don't make sense on the surface.

Prime, paint white, use a sprayer and put a clear laquer for a hard chip resistant surface.  

On the surface it just like this particular deal isn't working. 

We caught up and laughed while reminiscing and then we transitioned into some questions about his experience, goals, and a few nifty deals he's been able to surface over the years.

It's the REI ability to problem solve (Geometry), laying out solutions step by step, and seeing beyond what's on the surface, that allows the REI to turn problems into opportunities, and bad deals into good ones. 

The "total square footage" of the building is barely scratching the surface of the amount of information they need to accurately estimate the price for this job.