Pardon the french, but my tenants understand from the get-go that it is no ******** with me.

I parged the walls but it didn't eliminate the leaking, but being a low profile root cellar type basement with antiquated french drainage it suffices for now.Thankfully the front area (30x15) of the basement was built as a 'bomb shelter' so the solid poured cement walls & ceiling do not leak or bow & definitely supports the rest of the building.

Why do flippers tend to do the french drain?

:lol: Maybe not........I see that you were a Marine, so I can not expect you to debate with a much superior Navy guy like myself!!

When looking at Chinese real estate buyers in France for instance, the French Riviera is one of them.

Do I put money into whatever the end product might be (french doors or a window/hinged door combination), or just do a straight modern-quality replacement for now? 

Our price for 19 hurricane rated impact windows and 5 French doors, came in at a 27% discount from the Bid Room at HD.  

I get full SS sets with french door fridge and super nice everything else for around 1300.

Yes I have done french windows and doors.

have you tried Navy federal credit union?