Some are great at the technical components (almost boarderline engineer) yet have no idea about space planning, flow and usage.A design build company would likely be your best plan, but then you are likely paying a premium to have a one-stop shop.

It is notoriously difficult to find a decent PM, and the incentives for the PM and the property owner are often not aligned...in fact, the PM is often incentivized to provide very poor service to the owner. 

My realtor is pushing that this is a good investment and the building is good, but I'm not sure it aligns with my financial goals.

Not specific to real estate but since all RE is local I personally think it's more important to try to get a reading on economic issues as a whole instead of drilling down too deep into one component.

____Repair cost break down___Roof - repair price depends on home SQFT, type of roof + any know damageHVAC - replacing a Condenser (outside unit), handler (inside unit), ducts or possibly replacing all together Electric - cost depends on the job - replacing panel, running new wires, adding or repairing electric to an areaHot water tank - cost of tank + labor + ( some plumbing components)Windows - cost per window + labor cost per/windowPaint- cost is price per/sqft, varies if painter are painting trim, primer, how many coats, interior or exterior Sheet rock work - how many sheets 4x8 sheets will they Demo and replace Flooring - normally charge per/sqft - find the cost of the floor you want and multiple by your sqft and add the labor cost per/sqftkitchen - cabinets ( price per cabinet + labor to build and install) - counter top cost, price for material sqft and price per sqft of to fabricate, cut, and installAppliances - cost of appliance + install Bathroom remodel - depends on the size and quality finish - i start with finding the price for a small standard 5x7 bathroom and move upPlumbing - cost depends on the size of the job and scope of workThe above information is a quick break down of how to get rough estimate of rehab cost.

A big component of the "you could graduate from, buy a house, raise 3 kids and send them to college on a factory salary" narrative is the world we lived in post WW2.

One very important thing to start getting a feel for is how important the homesteading component is in your future satisfaction. 

Cost seg is looking at the structural components of the property that come with purchase, not at the items you buy after you acquire the property.

BuildingThis includes all of the components of the building such as the plumbing, roof, etc.

According to the survey, electrical components were up by 12 percent, exterior finishes and roofing saw an 11 percent increase, insulation was up by 10 percent, and appliances saw a five percent bump up in costs.