Being that we are both self-employed and with our income status, I know that banks would brush us off.

Learn to brush it off and keep moving forward

If I was looking to buy that home, I would wonder how My kids would brush their teeth in the sink, it would be a mess, how do you clean that thing?

Account Closed I'm going to wire brush and clear coat it and leave it just like it is, I love it!  

I can say that getting rid of my first (unscreened) tenant cost about $2k to get rid of, and I eliminated similar tenant prospects this fall, due to info from MSM (they "forgot" to mention some brushes with the law.

Usually a lot of other investors, agents, lenders, etc. all hangout in similar networking events and brushing shoulders with them will give you an immediate leg up instead of just engaging on BP. 

But here, seems that anyone who can brush teeth can give advice on your back pain.

I can brush it off and move on.. but others could be set back years ... and or end up with stress related illness's or extreme marital discord.. the blow back on this type of thing can be pretty serious other than a deal gone bad.  

I will reread to brush up.

Brush up on building code requirements: in basements you're looking for egress windows that are 5.7 sq feet or more openable (3ft by 3ft casement style windows work best), and ceiling heights 6ft 8 inches or greater (as little as 6 ft 4 inches is ok under ductwork and beams though)Sounds like your basement would be a home-run to generate some extra rental income - Happy to talk through the details of that strategy with you, just shoot me a DM!