The house next door just got sold for 265 (asking 279K) same issues with drainage but the owners were very diligent in combating the problem and installing french drains around the entire house.

The highlights will be installing an island with a long counter top to create a bar. 

Buy on an installment sales contract.See a good RE attorney.

The problem I have with this deal is he's not a real motivated seller, is a soft touch running out for 50% of value, not a good businessmanWhat I would do is to sell him on an installment sale at about 50% of market rend payment, divide 750 into the sales price

Which will help pay for the new 4.3k Ac system i had to install since I think the foreclosed owner "liberated" the existing 10 year old one. 

If it's a free and clear property it's an installment saleI would go to www.IRS.gov and download the installment sale infoIf it has existing financing you're looking at a subject to and a note, wrap or installment sales contract in MOIt really depends on what kind of existing financing, FHA or non-FHAI would see an attorney experienced in seller financingLastly regarding Dodd Frank I would sign a paper that helps the seller stating that "I have no intention of living in the residence and my intention is to rent it out to tenants"

looking for general contractor for flips installation or refurbishing kitchens bathrooms.

In other words, they shouldn't expect me to install panels, and I don't expect them to either. 

I tried to have a furnace installed.

Are there liners that one could install at least for a semi-permanent fix?