The margins are way too tight.

Inventory is so tight in LA right now that many buyers will still pay top dollar for remodels in certain submarkets.

Having done themand asking many others the window is too tight and you may not close in time.

Anyway, this now makes for a tight deadline.

(I would be surprised if that is not the same elsewhere)Either way, you should be able to sell the agent on the fact that by allowing you to be present, he/she will shorten the negotiating period by removing all the back and forth of a contract offer and counter offer and having it all done in one sitting.Regarding letting the interest accrue, make sure to set a reasonable deadline for the refi or sale timeframe.  

"Work" but not cleaning up after said work.In the last couple of weeks leading up to the deadline, instead of instructing her handy man to address the remaining items on the city's work order, he has installed a door to the basement where one had previously been, but someone had removed it (not on the work order) and is in the process of putting a new counter surrounding the new sink, also not on the work order (a sink he installed incorrectly).Landlady also texted me and said, "...I'm feeling like there's nothing to be gained from sticking with those people [city inspectors]..."

You said the money was starting to get tight.  

The lease is pretty tight so he is obligated for 12 months.

If you can subject to the property and the financing is great, that would at least produce a little interest for a buy and hold, but to me, it's still too tight and I would pass.

Margins are tight now a days but a good REI will not chase .