I am thinking of having them do the front path entrance and stairway to the first unit, the driveway which belongs to the first unit, the path to the entrance of the second unit, and maybe the deck/deck stairs or at least a pathway on the deck to the slider-the deck is shared between the two units and the slider leads to the first unit.) 

Would I be liable as the landlord, should someone take a tumble entering/exiting the property via these steps.There is also a larger stairway of 7 steps, leading to the back door.

Their filed for a permit to build a direct entrance to the basement, by digging a separate stairway, and installing a doorway.

Here are some pros and cons in my opinion:Pros: Desirable area, potential for 3 legal 2 bedroom apartments, new hot water boiler, shingles are ~5 years old, separately metered, lot is sloped toward back of building which allows for basement in-law suite to exit to ground level in backyard, seller to provide fire retrofit, parking for at least 4.Cons: Hasn't been updated electrically (2-prong plugs and 60 amp service), concrete stairway needs leveling (tilts toward house), in-law suite is not legal unit, older finishings in kitchen and bathrooms (and plaster walls).The list price is $399,000 but I wouldn't want to pay/offer this much.

Peanut butter on the plank and stairway to heaven.

Now they're looking for moss on the roof, water heater strapping, two railings on stairways, tread depth, window egress, fans and circulation, legal bedroom size.

One place we looked at had such a tight stairway you could barely get any furniture to the upper units.

Also utilities are paid by the homeowners however there is a common stairway area that I assume I will be responsible for utilities.

If you have 4 regular units all attached and then 1 big penthouse suite on top it might qualify especially since stairways and common areas count toward the 51% of space towards owner occupied.

We made several repairs since the previous owner neglected the property including rebuilding the front porch and new stairway up to upper unit.