My introduction is a bit different, my description would vary a little "Thank you for taking the time to visit my property...standing in the front yard looking at the front door, to your left is the garage...to the right is a giant olive tree...behind that..."

Reminded me of the time I was standing with a group of people watching an orangatan dance around at the SF Zoo, and then he suddenly flung a handful of poop at the crowd and we all scattered screaming. 

I would say that would help from a liability stand point and a way to get a piece of all ends of the deal.  

If you think the deal can stand a reduction, go for it - on the other hand, if you really have a great deal here, I would just try to close it - there are other buyers out there looking for 4 unit properties, even with a nonpaying tenant. 

Does he have a leg to stand on in regard to 'subletting'?

I don't know the exact dimension, but it would be the standard size that works with the metal "H" stand that pushes into the ground. 

And you won't have a leg to stand on at move out when you claim the windows are dirty and need cleaning. 

However, struggling with a property-finding challenge for a while, I thought of trying to throw my question in, and hopefuly get some help:We are trying to build a list of owners of free standing commercial buildings, in my area (Ventura county, California). thought of going to the county, but when I called, they said they don't have a way to separate proprieties.

As far as shortened lifespan goes, you may be observing a particular instance, but I'm not sure you can generalize -- treated wood has been used and recommended for small boat docks where it's constantly wet -- like standing in water -- and often for years. 

My problem was three fold, 1) I wasnt super clear with exactly what I wanted done, I was basically listening to entirely too many different opinions, 2) I overestimated how much work I could to myself in my free time, so my thoughts were to pay for just enough work to get the adviser to say the home is safe for me to live in and tell the bank everything was OK.  3) The contractor I had really slummed, my uncle and my adviser both realized that late into the game, so I just had to ride it out with the guy.