My GC has stated that since he is the one pulling permits, i wont be allowed to do anything to the house since he is liable for anything that happens on-site. 

If time permits, consider visiting local investment clubs, you'll have an opportunity to meet other investors both new like yourself and seasoned.  

You may find some info by checking with the city's building planning department, ask them if any permits have been pulled on the property, otherwise trying to contact the last owner somehow might be another way.

SD is among the slowest I have dealt with when it came to permits.

They had a whole crew of code enforcement and permitting personnel visit the property (including the big code boss), and someone of them suggested that the frame was not salvageable.

I presume that in LA it is illegal to rent a unit without a permit, but I highly doubt there is any law dictating how noi is figured.

How would you describe your experience with the DC permit office? 

I'm not in that area, but, if I had to guess, you're probably looking at $3000-5000.Could obviously be more or less depending on:- Type/quality of contractor- Quality of materials- Access to existing wiring- Whether you are willing to do sheetrock repair and painting afterwards- Cost of permits- Your negotiating skill

@Karen Margrave  takes us 19 days to get an appointment to talk about a permit LOL

Bet the idea of renting out their house to total strangers like it was a hotel room looked real good on paper.Yuppie stupidity knows no bounds.If they wanted to run a hotel, they should have gotten the proper permits and insurance.