It may be very expensiveElectric: does each unit have a sub panel?

There is a lot of beautiful wood paneling throughout the basement, great condition, but also dated.

Lots of wood paneling.

The other alternative I thought was to own the units, but go off the grid by installing enough solar panels (perhaps with battery backup for storage) to supply electricity to 240v dryers and washing machines.  

(FWIW, the house is not in a high-end or even good neighborhood by any stretch of the imagination.)Specifically, they are taking issue with the T1-11 plywood siding panels that I'm calling out for use around the sides and back of the house.

They replaced the breaker, the control panel, the circulator pump, a zone valve, bled the furnace and water heater.

really no way around not doing that as it has missing panels and some on there now are the wrong color. 

If you are purchasing anything which looks like it has been renovated it is a good idea to check permit history or at a minimum look at the electrical panel to see if there is a new signature on the box.  

@Colin Nelson - look to see if the installing company left their sticker on the alarm panel box.

Here is a link to the IRC - IBC Building Codes, https://www.iccsafe.org/codes-tech-support/codes/2... we do Modular and SIP Panel Production and these are built and placed on stem walls as the foundation.