My son began the process of Multifamilies a few years back based on teaching of @Michael Blank.

YES, you can get the work done for less than this on occasion, in particular if you are doing some or all of the labor yourself, not pulling permits, or purchasing stolen materials as a starting point. 

I am working on a plan with a partner to develop an area, but we have never had to start from a blank slate. 

I've seen lenders miss this and blow up loans on several occasions, and Im getting a little of that vibe here.

Text isn't an officially acceptable way of relaying this information here.On the somewhat rare occasion when I deduct from a security deposit, I send an itemized list of the expenses deducted to the tenant's new address via certified mail. 

You can experiment by buying blank card stock at Staples and making some yourself.

-A water heater issue resulted in repeated mismanagement—confusing unit assignments—leading to extra costs to fix the same issue 3 times and on each occasion "more fixes" needed to the water heaters that I plumber said was needed.

Look up Michael Blank and apartment investing together and you will find a great resource who is giving a ton of info away from free on how to start in apartments.

Right down to the closing documents that you sign being returned to you in blank.

To protect our rights, we would definitely deliver a formal 5 day notice (Wisconsin Legal Blank), but at the same time indicate that we are looking to collaborate to find a solution.