@Scott Parker, if you go to https://www.biggerpockets.com/profile/photo you will see arrows beneath your image to turn it right side up.

My only fear with doing that is some future regulation that dictates it must be removed which will be even harder with it buried beneath a layer of foam insulation and vinyl. 

You have to act as if no task is beneath you.

But i can tell you how to dig beneath the surface and finding out if the opportunity is good.

Do you have the same layout in the apartment beneath this apartment?

All flooring needs replaced (though there are hardwoods beneath the filthy carpet). 

And the possibility of growing the portfolio to serious money - $50 or $100M level in my lifetime is realistic, although certainly not assured.If we keep doing solid, boring purchases, keep living beneath our means and the world doesn't go to hell then I should wake up one day when I'm about 60-65 and be sitting on $50-$100M.Is it worth it though?

@Michael Herr Thinset is absolutely required beneath backer-board on a floor. 

Desperate certainly but they've been desperate for the longest so nothing is beneath them.

To encourage others to take the same chance without explaining the danger for some personal short-term gain, is beneath contempt.In fairness to Lonnie, I could not find the link you referred to, so I have no idea what he said, or didn't say, on the subject matter.