They're also being investigated currently by the SEC for their advertising practices.

Clearly my expenses for the wooden siding maintenance will be higher than brick as will need to repaint and touch up every 5 years or less, and the service for the window units will likely be less (especially since my lease states the tenants are responsible for them along with appliance repairs under $150 for that rental) along with them being cheap to replace and fairly serviceable.You have to look at each component of a given property and estimate the maintenance for it based on what you know, what you have seen as best practice here, ways you can minimize or avoid the expense, and based on quotes that you get from contractors as part of your diligence period.  

No where did I ask for this and more importantly I am being charged for this letter in the summary of charges they provide (25 dollars).Is this common practice?

Originally, I started trying to get a license in California because I lived there, but the class I was in for Principles and Practices ended up being the worst possible class ever because the teacher was completely useless (he literally spent 99% of the time talking about how great it was to be a broker and how he's a broker in 3 states and how most of us would fail at being a real estate professional).

If you feel that isnt practical pls sell them to an architectural salvage place 

These guys have a hundred transactions under their belt, they know who consistently delivers what they claim, reliably and on time, and who promises the world but fails to deliver.

This description is a do-it yourself remedy with no guaranty, but it is by best practices.  

It has practice tests for dozens of different categories, flash cards for definitions, and it keeps track of your scores so you can see how you are progressing.

Other than that just study the living poop out of the practice exam, go take the test, then get licensed and make some money.

Now I have so much to learn about figuring out a distressed property but I know that, like fitness, real estate is a day to day thing and if I stay consistent I will only get better.