We love old houses that haven't been butchered, but they are very hard to find.  

For example, granite vs butcher block.

We have also used butcher block before as a substitute for very expensive granite or quartz.

I Avoid welfare areas but my tenant's for the most part have occupations like truck driver, handyman, tow truck driver, butcher, etc.  

Their advantage would be to give you a clearer sightline from the living area into the kitchen making it feel airier - but giving a little less storage than back to back cabinets would.I believe that, if it's available in one area, it's probably available everywhere so, here, Ikea also has an extremely reasonably-priced butcher block countertop that you might want to use somewhere.

If you are rehabbing, not a rental, you can make killer oak butcher block counter tops out of raw oak flooring.

The design comes complete with appliances, sinks, countertops - which, by the way, their butcher-block counter and island tops are a steal.

Asking your contractor is like asking the butcher what to make for dinner. 

As @Joe Butcher said, we need to know the ARV and repairs needed to know how good of a deal it is.

I close at the end of the month and the property is in the "butchers hill"/Patterson park neighborhood.