It seems that again my timing may not be optimal but I'm looking forward to experience and hop to get my feet wet so I'm ready to strike when the iron's hot!

I certainly wouldn't suggest to pull an electrical permit to change an outlet or a plumbing permit to change some cast iron sewer out to pvc. 

Banks can't get out of their own way in order to close faster than 30 days.This is quite true, but what is somewhat ironic and comical is that the bank as seller will find an offer with a short closing time to be a stronger offer than the offer with a longer closing time; then once under agreement the settlement will get extended as needed by bank asking for amendment to the agreement via an addendum.

I got a very ironic answer.

They aren't looking out for the homeowner, they are chartered by the state to look out for the renter (ironically, paid for by the landlord and other taxpayers).Hopefully he can prove the damages happened after July 2014 so he can get reimbursed from Section 8 by the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program.  

I have recently sent out my first round of DM letters and have a few other irons in the fire, so I need to act with urgency.

Goodbye iron plumbing.

The galvanized pipes along with cast iron can get pricey from what I was told and I would be hiring out pretty much everything which would cost quite a bit. 

I invested just short of $4,000 into a digitally controlled water softener w/ 250LB capacity brine tank, and a top of the line Iron Filter to match.

Newer homes have PVC drain piping instead of rusty iron piping.