The whole experience cemented my resolve in becoming an investor.

The reason is that they're hollow, unlike permanent ones which are cement-filled. 

The home will be completed in a total time of ~6 weeks, with completely new kitchen and baths, new drywall, new roof, exterior repairs to the cement, new hot water heater and new HVAC.

My neighbor hired him, he's there with his crew and cement truck, so I can't say "show me your insurance" now.We paid the guy $250 cash, he left us his business card, so I'm deciding to make a receipt to my myself, attach a photo of the work he's done, to memorialize it.

Hi Sylvia,If it were mine,  (and if I wanted to spend the money):I’d leave it all white and,Put black shutters on all front windowsGet rid of the cement circle in the front yard.Berm the driveway with soil to the grade of the cement (liability issue)Paint the utility box on the left side white to blend in.Paint the front door blackPaint the breather medallion at the peak black(Spray) white on the porch railing and uprights.Add some  low maintenance evergreen bushes to the left side that are just above porch floor height.Rewire the over garage light to 3 lights (1 to the right of the front door, one on either side of the garage) and use brass classic looking carriage lights.Convert the over garage light to a motion sensor with 2 flood lights for tenant safety and tenant retention.Put Large Brass house number to the right of the door at an upward angle.Good Luck with your decisions!

Also remember that cement wicks moisture and cold into the new living space. 

If the concrete floors are not perfect, you can always have your tile guy use a self leveling cement before you install the tile. 

But all the original cement walls & flooring were tight without any wicking so the source was in-house humidity.

The cement patio had separated from the same type of brick wall you have.

Thinset mortar is what makes cement board underlayment possible.