The other window is 6 ft wide and opens up to my front yard, it just isn’t technically an egress window.

No back yard access so the front would be the only option. - will this type of renovation require the approval of the local civic association? 

The fence is trashed, the yard is trashed, the inside has to be gutted and put back in order just to get it to move in condition as were the two similar homes, previously mentioned for 195K.Just guessing, it will take at least $15-25K to get it into a suitable condition.

The current plan my contractor has is ~4' of mulch on the perimeter, a clean brick outline maybe like this, and gravel for the main body of the yard.

@Gary Baker I'm in your back yard in Fort Worth.

As far as a feature to make the propert stand out, do you do something like a back porch if no other houses have one, or a water feature in the front yard, or seller pays closing costs... that sort of thing? 

How big is the back yard, could you plant Leyland Cypress trees to cover the negative aspects, of put up a privacy fence?  

And he has asked if I had any other vacant houses because he has other guys at the yard that want a nicer place . 

. - Toys, and other belongings on the Deck and lawn/patio/outdoor areas must be organized and not lay all around the property/yard.

It probably needs only 5-7K just to clean up the yard, which is huge, and any other variables.