When I called them, they assured me that there would be no loss of principal as their "contracts are iron-tight."

I would recommend Jack Stack BBQ.

The days you are not busy doing real estate stuff you should plan on being at a kids ball game, a pancake breakfast at the local Lions club, a school play that you donated $50 for, getting your car washed at a local fundraiser by the soccer team, volunteering at a local chicken BBQ, taking your dog to agility classes and meeting people etc etc.

Cast Iron has a 100 year life span and this property got 30 years on top of that!

It's definitely ironic that I'm a wannabe out of state owner who's targeting absentee owner properties.

Your comments are actually quite ironic. 

Once this one is closed, rent checks are coming in and you can see how expenses iron out, etc you will be much better suited to identify a better deal in that area/market.

I'd also paint the wrought iron security doors and handrails white I think.

Now, ironically, he is back asking me for more help.

When you say PVC stocks, are you referring to if the piping in general is made of PCV instead of cast iron?