Furnace's and A/c units were old, had a discussion to lower offer due to this but eventual relented, only the future will tell if this will cost me a bunch.

I actually had one house where I removed the lower 2ft of drywall throughout the entire house and then treated everything. 

If the buyer has access to other sources of cheap capital, lender will probably have to be happy with the lower end of your range. 

We've always purchased turn-key properties and are now thinking of buying a true fixer-upper at a lower cost and renovating (i.e. adding higher, architecturally interesting ceiling, ripping out walls, and designing a modern space, etc.). 

(You’ll need to have an exterior enterance for the lower unit.) 

Whereas with a car- you could sell the car and STILL have debt.You could always do a mix of both- pay a HUGE down payment to have a bigger buffer between the home value and the mortgage + have a lower monthly payment.Regardless- even though it may be preventing you from buying RE at THIS MOMENT- you are doing a great job financially being completely out of consumer debt!

An article came out last fall showing that the newly installed cameras on the boardwalk and the ones covering the streets connecting have lowered the crime in said areas.

If you can lower your mortgage rate at your primary house you may want to consider refinancing it to a 15 yr mortgage if you can qualify.

And could even lower your monthly payment  = more cash flow with that property.  

And their fees are lower than FHA loans too.