It would be very difficult to get a regular mortgage for the purchase since you typically don’t get access to the interior of the house before closing.

Hi Stacy,Like @Jorge Ruiz indicates, often a full appraisal will come in higher if you've made improvements to the interior of the house, which a drive-by appraisal obviously can't include because they don't see it.Each HELOC lender has their own guidelines and criteria, there's no Fannie/Freddie nudging everyone towards a similar standard.

It was previously a bar in its past life with the first floor interior walls knocked open and the stairs to upstairs removed and an outdoor access staircase installed.

Example: I sold 2 of the 3 comps within a mile for 119K and 116K, this one is going to list for 85K, To get it up to the level of the comps, interior paint, some carpet, good solid bleach clean, laminate counters (area supports that decision).

I noticed that remodeled homes and rentals are boasting nice earth tone interior paint schemes these days.

If you are an investor and a contractor did a great job for you, at a reasonable cost, you may now return the favor to him by referring him.I need a new bathroom and a new addition, converting a deck into a master, plus some lighter interior walls and drywall work. 

Brian Achar get an attorney is my recommendation and cease all communication with their attorneyTalk to your attorney about an interior inspection.

Maybe this huge area of grass is grass for a reason...The interiors of the units are decent (1980's build), and have a lot of the amenities that most people want.

Do you hire a interior designer then have them purchase everything?

Even if you can't see it if they drywalled the interior of that crawl, you might be able to feel moisture.