An alternative would be to attach furring strips and hang regular drywall over the wall then finish it as needed.

Alternatively you can try looking on google maps with good reviews on google. 

I agree with your thinking, and almost always present alternatives to 30YF when someone has owned the property for a number of years. 

But that makes it his primary residence and also ineligible for 1031 treatment.  

I resold all 200 or so of my Sub too deals with nary a problem with title insurance its important not to use a quit claim deed when you take title that is a bugger.. but then again I do have juice with my title and escrow company.. and maybe I get treatment others don't get..

VA guidelines require that “The surface requiring treatment must be thoroughly washed, scraped, wirebrushed or otherwise cleaned to remove all cracking, scaling, peeling, chipping and loose paint and then repainted with two coats of a suitable nonleaded paint, or:The paint shall be completely removed or the surface covered with a suitable material such as gypsum wallboard, plywood or plaster before any painting is undertaken if the paint film integrity of the surface needing treatment cannot be maintained.” 

Can anyone recommend a good alternative to slate that wont look cheap?

Smart investors follow the big money and do their homework when it comes to investing in alternative fixed-income funds .

Alternatively, if we are willing to be aggressive, we will drop the price and move in there.  

Another good alternative would be carpet tiles.