I am currently working as a control engineer in building automation, with experience as an electrical contractor from previous employment.

I absolutely hate electrical so we subbed it out.

so, if you showed up to the house thinking it would be around $20,000 and discover the cabinets are new, but the electric panel is shot, you would subtract $2500 for cabinets, add $1000 for a panel,. and adjust your offer by $1500.

I wouldn't feel comfortable with working with someone who is unlicensed unless they are doing a limited scope and not anything that deals with life safety (structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc)A question you may want to ask yourself is why they would wanted to be treated as legitimate when they aren't operating their work legitimately.

From Fannie:Borrowed Funds Secured by an AssetBorrowed funds secured by an asset are an acceptable source of funds for the down payment, closing costs, and reserves, since borrowed funds secured by an asset represent a return of equity.Assets that may be used to secure funds include automobiles, artwork, collectibles, real estate [EDIT: eg, a HELOC], or financial assets, such as savings accounts, certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds, and 401(k) accounts.Secured Loans as DebtWhen qualifying the borrower, the lender must consider monthly payments for secured loans as a debt.If a secured loan does not require monthly payments, the lender must calculate an equivalent amount and consider that amount as a recurring debt.When loans are secured by the borrower’s financial assets, monthly payments for the loan do not have to be considered as long-term debt [EDIT: in other words, 401k loans are not only acceptable, but we don't even hit your DTI with the payment].I like to push things; I've been waiting for an opportunity to use artwork-secured debt for ages but it's never come up.

I likened real estate similar to an electric trolley hanging and traveling across predetermined destination, that is hanging over a medium, which is an electrical cable.

Thats up to the local electrical inspector

I currently own a 2012 Chevy Volt that i love to death, but im thinking it might be in my best interest to invest in another electric car that has a far greater electric range.

The home has electric ceiling radiant heat that may or may not work (popcorn ceiling and all ) .

Other unit previously complained in summer so I started process of upgrading electrical for split (I use slowest electrician on earth because he is family and desperately needs money).