I work for a very large contractor (commercial restoration and strengthening) and wanted to share some things that I think people need to do when hiring a contractor to help prevent some of this:1.

If they both look well maintained/restored on the outside do you usually assume the inside is well maintained too?

This is legally a 4 unit building, we have restored it to 4 units, but it has a mega unit that I've been rehabbing (fixing up and combining a large artist studio into another apartment).

I spent a few bucks at the habitat restore & one day inside the house fluffing it up (with the listing agents permission) & it appraised in "above average" condition.

Account Closed You should definitely contact two or three fire restoration contractors in your local area, some of them have probably already contacted you, have one write a detailed scope in Xactamate and have them help you work with the insurance adjuster.  

There are several estimating software programs available that are used by insurance adjusters (like me) but also have contractor's versions widely used by restoration companies like Servpro & Service Master.

XXVIII.RISK OF LOSS: If the improvements are damaged by fire or other casualty prior to closing, and the costs of restoring same does not exceed 3% of the assessed valuation of the improvements so damaged, cost of restoration shall be an obligation of the Seller and closing shall proceed pursuant to the terms of the Contract with costs therefore escrowed at closing.

XXVIII.RISK OF LOSS: If the improvements are damaged by fire or other casualty prior to closing, and the costs of restoring same does not exceed 3% of the assessed valuation of the improvements so damaged, cost of restoration shall be an obligation of the Seller and closing shall proceed pursuant to the terms of the Contract with costs therefore escrowed at closing.

My Sunday driver is a restored 1970 Ford Mustang, the one in my picture.

Can you please restore the alerts or the page they're supposed to be on?