So whether the work was permitted or not, the house certainly appears on paper to have been remodelled...and the reason I say it this way is because it's still not in incredible shape or anything, but I'm guessing that some work has been done. 

I think you've done incredible amount of research and it is very thorough.

It doesn't sound like she's motivated or ready to move out quite yet.

Incredible scale, tell us (ME) your secret!

Six months ago, I was introduced to Brandon Turner and the Bigger Pockets podcast and it has transformed my motivations, goals, and really my life.

This was well thought out and slightly motivational.

Thankfully we had a contractor that friends of ours had used to do similar work, so we were incredibly lucky for that, meaning there was some trust in the contractor from the get-go, translating to less stress.The housing market explode over the course of the rehab, which drove home prices up higher than we expected.

Also, make friends with local realtors and let them know you're looking for off market deals and motivated sellers! 

I agree that it’s very hard to find something - I’ve looked at many banks and for me, it’s so incredibly dumb that they won’t lend to me because I don’t live there.

Yeah, Zillow = No Go for motivated seller leads.