The biggest issue with matching the color of the new mortar to the old.

Here is my estimation for the rehab.New kitchen (with opened lay out, granite counter tops and refurbished ss appliances )- $8,000New bathroom and finishing half to full bath- 8,000New hvac ( new furnace and ac with duct work) $5,800Hard wood refinish on living room-$900Paint the whole house including basement- $2,500.Carpet for bedrooms and basement- $2,500New window- $2000.New doors- $1,500Refinish the basement-$6,000Does it sound right?

The inside has a modern look, but that color is very dated.

I don't see any duct work, so I'm assuming you are without an A/C unit. 

That said, I'm open to any position, even if I am scrubbing toilets, maybe hear some useful nuggets of REI knowledge through an air duct?

Sometimes you will find dampeners on the ductwork ( metal ducts )  If so you can decrease the flow to the downstairs , which in turn helps with the upstairs 

Also shown (by color) are the Highs (green) and the Lows (red) for every indicator since 2000.

We're working on a flip right now and we may steal some of that color palate you've created.  

That's a BIG job, which often includes opening up walls for the duct work.

I wouldn’t actually mind her leaving early except there are some walls she needs to paint back to the original colors and it’s going to need a deep clean.