Although I don't know anything definitive about doing what you propose - I do like the creative nature of the idea.Is the physical layout of the existing apartments conducive to a cost-effective five-to-four conversion?

These are people I trust but we still want to lay out all the rules. 

There is 0% chance a person who could lay out in such depth of detail a communist-squared action plan, is here on BP for ANY of the thing's BP stand's for, not a 1.

For your wife, take her to dinner, lay out your plans, let her know why you are doing,.

Big-time real estate investors are either so well funded that a dud property won't kill their finances, or have an understanding of houses and layouts similar to David, by having been in thousands of houses.Unless you are an experienced real estate investor, I would NOT buy sight-unseen.If you can't afford the plane trip, you can't afford to be buying the house. 

In those buildings there is no way to include hookups given the layout of the units.

I would love to lay out my own terms especially on whose name goes on the lease (all that live there) as I think there may also be a woman living there with him.

Add house layout drawing tool to the app. 3.

Well layout @Andrew Flora .

Improving the layout and ability to connect with others via the mobile app.