Welcome to the site @Todd Carson when looking into Cleveland I recommend checking out The Ultimate Guide to Grading Cleveland Neighborhoods.

It's a bit heavy on math, but includes nothing that's too confusing as long as you passed 8th grade algebra.

Builder grade multi family is around $140/sf right now and it only goes up from there.

A basement may be used for habitable rooms or a dwelling unit, regardless of the depth of the floor below grade, if the floors and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface water and are protected from dampness, and if the required minimum 13-172-130, or by other approved means. 13-172-070 Natural light.

Do you think it matters which grade level is better?

Its required for all below grade bedrooms for emergency egress from fire but once complete also double as a light source to give that lower unit a more inviting feeling.  

If they are upset that you are trying to improve their professionalism to an 8th grade writing standard, then move on.

Purchased this home site unseen (I actually only viewed the exterior).  Newer 2008 build.  To my surprise it was not that bad and just needed cosmetic upgrading to make it stand out.  This property even had carpet in ...

The comps in the area that have been up graded seem to go for 150k- 200k.

In my case, the Point of Connection of a sewer pipe is 12" below grade and I need +24" to get the proper slope for water to run, I had to modify below sink and install a pump so when they run water, the pump pushes it, I ran my pipe at 0 slope.