Are there any good rules to go by in terms of paint, flooring, cabinets, stuff like that?  

Kitchen cabinets are in good condition, you need appliances, replace/remove rug, and some paint.

He agreed to install cabinets for me and never showed.

I've remodeled most of my primary residence from building a 16x20 deck in the back to installing kitchen cabinets, counter tops, flooring, doors, painting, texturing, sheet rocking etc.

I had a long term tenant replace the appliances, install new kitchen cabinets (with my approval) and build a 18' X 24' work shed.  

Well, you've got cabinets mounted on the floor and ... no wait - the pictures are in the wrong orientation.

I am talking to a neighbor of mine about selling his house to me & I have seen him doing work (tearing out jacuzzi tub, kitchen cabinets left by the trash can) and he is very anti-government, so it is doubtful he got permits. 

You're welcomeI can't see the mudroom from the photos, but assuming you can displace a couple of pipes and wires a little bit, how about this:Bedroom will be small but feasible with a twin bed or maybe full bed and a decent closet.If needed, you could leave the kitchen counter up to the dotted lines, but better move the sink until the edge of the mudroom window.Moving the Bedroom door will give you a decent stretch of wall for a cabinet/TV or a desk, as well as making better use of the precious sqft near basement door, it's really worth considering.Finishes can only enhance a good layout, but there's not much one can do with a bad layout.You know you have a good or decent enough layout when you can place furniture in a usable manner.

Might have to start and stop things depending on what work is going on.Once all the mechanical things are done: drywall. cabinets. sinks and counter-tops.Floors last so you don't get paint all over them.Landscaping and finishing touches like staging.

If I don't find the right material, we will remove the floor below the kitchen cabinets.