As to the fear the house will fall in you, you’re painting the wrong picture as that would involve jacking the house up or removing existing bracing.

Sure, if its just some paint, new flooring, maybe some low voltage lines for cable TV or a wireless AP that sounds fine.I know there are some areas of the country where town inspectors are a pain, but I usually here about that more so in major cities inspecting large commercial jobs.

Looking at buying a home in Philadelphia that needs some work and would appreciate some more experienced eyes going over the numbers.896 sqft 2/2:- Currently has central heat with gas furnace- Currently has no central airExpected construction and estimated cost:- Demo of central heat and new HVAC - 20,000- Complete demo and rehab of kitchen and two bathrooms 15,000 for kitchen 4,000 per bathroom- Finish basement 15,000- Flooring in bedrooms 3,000 - Interior paint 3,000- New W/D 5,000- Misc 10,000Estimated: +/- 80,000?

Added modern features/paint What was the outcome?

Just floors and paint will eat up 2/3 of that, you will still want to put in new trim, new vents maybe, and a few other minor items. 

Someone reliable and can do some quality painting and odds and ends?

My purchase price was $101K and I put only a few grand in to paint, tidy and fix a few things.

Quote from @David Ng: I've never invested in Texas.

We did all new electrical, HVAC, plumbing, roof, foundation repairs, drywall, paint, flooring, three new bathrooms, etc.

Since the unit is empty, I'm painting and doing some other things to update it.