So what about the instructions to put down a vapor barrier under Durock? 

This list was poached from contractortalk.comHouse/with attached Garage General ConditionsFinalize plans and develop estimate with owner, architectSign contract and notice to proceedApply for PermitsSecure foundation permitSecure framing permitSecure electrical permitSecure plumbing permitSecure HVAC permitSecure miscellaneous permitsSite WorkClear and grub lotExcavator estimated houlySkid steer estimated hourlyTrucking estimated hourlyTopsoil strippingSkid steer estimated hourlyTrucking estimated hourlyPavement and sidewalk removalSkid steer estimated hourlyTrucking estimated hourlyRough gradingSkid steer estimated hourlyRelocation of existing natural drainageExcavator estimated houlySkid steer estimated hourlyRemoval of unsuitable soilSkid steer estimated hourlyTrucking estimated hourlyAccess roadsSkid steer estimated hourlyTrucking estimated hourlyDetoursProtection of existing structures and utilitiesEnvironmental considerationsInstall temporary power serviceInstall underground utilitiesFoundationLocate buildingSurveyInstall batter boardsExcavate for foundationsExcavator estimated houlyDrilling for garage pilesSkid steer estimated hourlyTrucking estimated hourlyFormingFootingsTotal lineal feet of footingTotal width of footingTotal thickness of footingsTotal cubic meters of footingsFoundations wallsTotal lineal feet of wallsTotal width of wallsTotal height of wallsTotal cubic meters of wallsGrade beamsTotal lineal feet of beamTotal width of beamTotal height of beamTotal number of 12"x12' concrete pileTotal cubic meters of beams and pilesCure basement walls for 7 daysStrip basement wall formsWaterproof/insulate basement wallsPerform foundation inspectionBackfill foundationSkid steer estimated hourlyFraming house and attached gargeInstall 1st floor joistsMud sill achor bolts Sill gasket2x6 Treated mud sill2x10 Spruce 4 ply beam3" Adjustable steel telepost2x10 Spruce joisting2x10 Spruce rim joists2x2 bridging Single joist hangers/nailsDouble joist hangers/nails3 1/4" coated nailsLay 1st floor decking3/4" T&G Fir sheating1 1/2" flooring screwsSub-floor adhesiveFrame 1st floor wallsExterior wallsTop, bottom and cap plates 2x6 spruce2x6 spruce studs 92 5/8"3/8" spruce sheathing2x10 spruce 2 ply header with 2x6 backer2x6 garge door rough frame and Brick moulding3 1/4" coated nails1 1/2" sheathing stapleHouse wrap (Tyvek) and tape3/8" house wrap staplesInterior wallsTop, bottom and cap plates 2x4 spruce2x4 spruce studs 92 5/8"2x4 spruce single plate door headerPlumbing wallTop, bottom and cap plates 2x6 spruce2x6 spruce studs 92 5/8"3 1/4" coated nailsCap plate and exterior wall backing poly flashing2x10 Spruce 4 ply beam2x6 drywall backingInstall 2nd floor joists2x10 Spruce joisting2x10 Spruce rim joists2x2 bridging Single joist hangers/nailsDouble joist hangers/nails3 1/4" coated nailsLay 2nd floor decking3/4" T&G Fir sheating1 1/2" flooring screwsSub-floor adhesiveFrame 2nd floor wallsExterior wallsTop, bottom and cap plates 2x6 spruce2x6 spruce studs 92 5/8"3/8" spruce sheathing2x10 spruce 2 ply header with 2x6 backer3 1/4" coated nails1 1/2" sheathing stapleHouse wrap (Tyvek) and tape3/8" house wrap staplesInterior wallsTop, bottom and cap plates 2x4 spruce2x4 spruce studs 92 5/8"2x4 spruce single plate door headerPlumbing wallTop, bottom and cap plates 2x6 spruce2x6 spruce studs 92 5/8"3 1/4" coated nailsCap plate and exterior wall backing poly flashing2x10 Spruce 4 ply beam2x6 drywall backingInterior stairs and landingsComplete roof framingManufactured Roof trusses and gables 24" o.c.2x6 gable ladders and fascia2x6 fasicaCardboard insulation baffels2x4 truss bracing and strapping2x4 ridge blocking1/2 roof sheathing1/2 sheathing clips3 1/4" coated nails2" sheathing staples3/8" insulation baffle staplesConduct framing inspectionDry InShingles210 Asphalt shinglesIce and water shieldAsphalt ridged cap1 1/4" shingle nailsAluminum gable flashingRoof vents1st floor exterior doorsFront door 36/80 6 panel with side liteWeiser brush nickel passage and deadboltBack door 36/80 6 Panel Weiser brush nickel passage and deadboltGarage man door to house 36/80 6 panel with closerWeiser brush nickel passage and deadboltGarage doors 9x7 Barcol inusulated with Genie opener1st floor windows2nd floor windowsExterior FinishesEavesAluminum vented soffit (white)Aluminum fascia5" Gutter and down spoutsStuccoScaffolding1 1/2" styrofoam insulationStucco base coatStucco finish coatPargingStone workShingle gablesExterior Decks and StairsUtility Rough-Ins and Complete ConcreteRough-in plumbingConduct rough-in plumbing inspectionPlace concrete for basement floorRough-in electricalConduct rough-in electrical inspectionRough-in HVACConduct rough-in HVAC inspectionRough-in communication - phone, cable, computer, alarmInterior FinishesInsulationWall insulation - 1st floorR20 fiberglass batt 6ml vapor barrierWall insulation - 2nd floorR20 fiberglass batt 6ml vapor barrierCeiling insulation - 2nd floorR40 Blown in cellulose 6ml vapor barrierConduct insulation inspection3/8" vapor barrier StaplesTuck tapeAcostical chalkingDrywallInstall drywall - 1st floor wallsInstall drywall - 1st floor overheadInstall drywall 2nd floor wallsInstall drywall 2nd floor overheadTape and float 1st floor drywallTape and float 2nd floor drywallPaintTexture all except entry and kitchen - 1st floorPaint all except entry and kitchen - 1st floorHang wallpaper entry and kitchen - 1st floorTexture all - 2nd floorPaint all - 2nd floorPaint exterior siding & trim workCabinetsInstall 1st floor - kitchen cabinetsInstall 1st floor - master bath and guest cabinetsInstall 2nd floor - hall bath and private bath cabinetsInstall chair rails, crown moldings, trimFinish PlumbingComplete 1st floor - kitchen plumbingComplete 1st floor - master bath and guest plumbingComplete 2nd floor - hall bath and private bath plumbingConduct finish plumbing inspectionFinish ElectricalComplete 1st floor circuits to service panelComplete 2nd floor circuits to service panelConduct finish electrical inspectionComplete communications wiring - phone, cable, computer, alarmFinish HVACComplete 1st floor - zone 1 HVACComplete 2nd floor - zone 2 HVACConduct HVAC inspectionCarpet, Tile and AppliancesTile entry, kitchen and bathsCarpet 1st floorCarpet 2nd floorInstall appliancesLandscaping and Grounds WorkPour concrete driveway and sidewalksInstall backyard fenceSod and complete plantings - front yardSod and complete plantings - backyardFinal AcceptanceComplete final inspection for certificate of occupancyCleanup for occupancyPerform final walk-through inspectionComplete punch list items

They are in various states of remediation, from nothing to having virtually been ripped down to the studs.My question refers to outside frame plywood and vapor barrier. 

If dirt--you'll need to install vapor barrier (heavy plastic) and gravel over that, then possibly some type of flooring.Is it a stone/rubble foundation? 

There isn't going to be any real ventilation in the bathroom, so you should wear a paint respirator with organic vapor cartridges as you put this on.Once you've got it spot primed, break out setting-type joint compound.

My 15 year loans cash flow, but it is vapors so any serious expense will be out of pocket.

The Complete reigns supreme as the stinkmaster world champion but the fumes are so bad that even if you wear a respirator with organic vapor cartridges it will attack your eyes.If you're paying contractor prices to get this done sight unseen in KY or NC, rip out all the hardwoods, roll the Kilz Max all over the subfloor (they'll refuse to use the Complete, and probably gripe about the Max), and do the luxury vinyl plank thing.

Hopefully the price included a vapor barrier and gravel?

Hi Deborah BurianTake a look on a website called buildingscience dot comI'll try to link to an article...no affiliation, just a good reference site:http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/digests/bsd-106-understanding-vapor-barriersI'd say if that wall doesn't have it, none of them do.

You can colleague me if you want to post that privately.The reason I ask is even if you land a loan at 75% ltv and the lender allows a seller second of 15% you will need 10% 200,000 to do this deal.Actually it will be more as title,survey,appraisal,phase 1 ,site inspection,vapor intrusion survey,and additional lender fees will be in the tens of thousands of dollars to close this out.