I know of an investor who bought one of these, use it for a few days, and then returned it to the bigbox store once the HVAC was fixed.

The holes in the boards were there to hold the plaster (because they did not have spackle yet and still had to plaster), just like the wood lathe would. you can repair the cracks just like you would in drywall, i would recommend cleaning out all loose plaster, using a mesh tape and for the first coat some 45 minute easy sand, this product will dry fast and ready for you to put another coat of it or spackle on it, but you may want to solve why you got the cracks in the first place before repairing, usually something needs re supporting. the wire mesh you talk of in the corners can be cut with a sawzall or you can use a drywall hammer and chop it out at the corner ( if your aim is good ) this can be removed and easily patched then with the drywall, just make sure to wear gloves and safety glasses when doing so.

Kohler products can be purchased at Home Depot or any plumbing supply store.

I have a wooden retention wall as attached which is about 30 year old I think from the time when this building was constructed, I have made slope down on right hand side corner last year for landscapers, tenants to go into ditch to cut the grass rather than leave it become mini forest with poison ivy plants as well there.

I'll stop by one of the SW stores here in Dallas.

That said, I think the reason many building departments are so stringent with investors is the illusion that most are looking to cut corners for the sake of profit.

Anytime I go to a restaurant or a store I feel like they're attempting to freeze customers out of the premises in order to prevent squatters from staying too long. 

Many people buying items online, especially clothes, very much appreciate the ability to have a store nearby to seamlessly do returns at.

The big box stores all have a commercial division that similar to Home Depot's ProDesk.

For example, if you check Airbnb's (the company) online reviews whether BBB or the app store, you'll see it's low and that's because a bunch of guests who don't get refunds or hosts who are mad are leaving reviews.Maybe a better question: how to vet a title company?