If it's in Chicago and/or cook county there are a few different options a developer can take advantage of that would help offset acquisition and rehab costs. 

Cook county is very large and there slow to update things, so if it was a recent violation it may not show up in the records.

@Nicholas Cook Thanks for the advice Nicholas.  

Additionally, there are many areas in Chicago with more favorable taxes than the rest of the Chicago area Cook County suburbs.

Withstands higher cooking temps better.

And he said, "because I home brew beer"  I'm not familiar with this at all, my fear is that he's lying, and he's either growing pot or cooking meth....but if he's telling the truth.....I heard it can be smelly and messy....so...has anyone had experience with this? 

But bc we're not zoned for 2 units, every year permitting checks for a cook top/stove.

I have picked up both steve cooks and venas courses on ebay and both seemed to be good material.I have found it really hard to go wrong buying anything.

(the blond girl in the front seat looks a lot like the gal from Cooks Country on PBS)I love that you and Jay have taken on this battle.

Initially it sounded promising that criteria could be met until I read #6b - no ovens, ranges, or built in cooking facilities which didn't make sense.