MY paint cost is $1-$1.5 per sq foot.  

Are you looking for a full studs deep remodel, lipstick, or the carpets and paint?

The Brrr principle seems to be hindered (at least that’s what I witnessed buying my first house where chipping paint was even an issue).any thoughts are appreciated

Doors , windows , kitchen , and baths plus holes in the walls , entire paint job , holding costs all for $40K . 

I added extended driveway, RV parking, back yard landscaping w/ covered patio, shiplap on two interior walls, and painted accent walls in every room.

It needs two sets of new stairs, new doors and paint throughout so i was hoping 15k would cover it.

My goal in my post was to hopefully educate a reader or two, that if you ask for budget v actuals, you may get just that, which, as you note, may not paint nearly as poor a picture as what the intent of the question may have been.  

Real estate you can paint, rehab, improve.. 

The salespeople painted a rosy picture, and I was willing to pay if their services were delivered.

Now with a blank canvas I got my contractors together and painted the picture.