I think that the terms that you are able to get on the seller finance will probably be a major driver in the decision here.

The property needs a fair bit of work both inside and out, but nothing major (all mechanicals are within 2 years new thankfully). 

The majority of areas nearby where I live are that way as appreciation has been going up very quickly and the rent will take some time to catch up.There's 3 ways you profit off a property: cashflow from rent, equity paydown of a mortgage and appreciation.

In Boise, our City building and planning departments are pretty great to work with.  

Ok, so I got a major kick in the gut today. 

My concern is that the house is in need of major repairs. 

Another artifact is that they don't seem to take lot size into account at all, when in an urban gentrified area the land has become the majority component of value. 

Defiantly creates some major challenges for me as a potential buyer. 

I have no skills currently in the home renovation department, interior design, etc.

I would tag the state and nearest major city in your post so that people in that area will get a keyword notification of your post.