@Zach SchwarzmillerYou can get a cement mix (premix or dry) specifically for patching holes in slabs and walls.  

There used to be an inch it two porch (cement just raised) it now has a gradual slope like a small ramp.

There are times when the owner in foreclosure will cause problems to the house he is about to be evicted from;  cement in the toilet, crossing electrical,wires, blocking the waste vent pipe...etc. discovering these problem and making an offer to the lender with pictures and a contractors inspection report will help the investor acquire the REO.Charles

They poured the cement themselves, and then took a broom to it.

In general I also prefer the brick/cement block structure over the wood frame, but I think we have different reasons. 

Lawns are typically a cement pad with rock or dirt for in and out activity to not tear up grass.I work with a few mobile home and RV combo parks.

Anyway below are the quotes we received thus far:Asbestos Piping Insulation Removal (170 linear feet)- D&S Restoration - $1900Mold Remediation, And Basement Waterproofing on Secondary basement (flashing, drain pipe, drain baseboard, sump pump and pit, re cement floor) -  A1Waterproofing - $5,850Demo the illegal 5th unit structure - $15,000Replace Section of Cracked Sewer Line - Promen Plumbing - $2000Replace Lead Watermain line to street[advised we just install whole house filter] - Promen Plumbing - $5900Replace Steam Boiler - Promen Plumbing -$5300Install second furnace and hot water heater and separate heat in units(1st house) - Promen Plumbing - $12,000 Reinforce Beams between first floor Kitchen Cieling And 2nd floor kitchen floor (6 new beams and sheetrock,spackle, paint) - J&B Contracting -$3400Termite Treatment [Said no visual termite damage just signs of mudtubes and termite presence] - Aries Termite Control - $1650 for both housesRedo the whole driveway in Asphalt - Boyd Paving - $9,800Redo the whole driveway in concrete - Boyd Paving - $21,000Redo sidewalk - Boyd Paving - $5700Repair cement siding on rear unit (Crack in masonry) - Bergen Mason Contractors -$1500All quotes besides paving the driveway, separating of the heating units,  the cement siding repair, and demoing the building were just sent to the realtors who will send it to the bank.

We also painted the roof rim/facia and balconies to match (no shutters on this building).Another building in the area is going through this now and they appear to be going with a cement board or masonite cladding (I haven't gotten that close) in a brown/green earth tone.

Brick is usually (but not always) harder to screw up, where as cement board can get ruined if you don't know what you're doing.

I've also stumbled onto what I consider to be a great, affordable tub surround: I go to the local flooring warehouse and buy a roll of scrap vinyl, then apply it to the tub walls with contact cement and metal edging.