The way he did it was he took out a HELOC to do the addition and he had some extra money leftover, which he then used to purchase a note.

If I was renting a room, I would not expect to pay for laundry on top of that.

If there was a little more cashflow, would it eliminate an argument here or there about what brand of laundry detergent to use or to use hot or cold water?

The property also had a detached 4-car garage and a laundry room.

I've seen some do an acid wash and not try to cover up the existing but just clean it up.In the photo, the real wall paint color is by Sherwin Williams Interactive Cream.

Will my efforts amount to a wash, or will I be able to just take their exam and keep moving?

The days you are not busy doing real estate stuff you should plan on being at a kids ball game, a pancake breakfast at the local Lions club, a school play that you donated $50 for, getting your car washed at a local fundraiser by the soccer team, volunteering at a local chicken BBQ, taking your dog to agility classes and meeting people etc etc.

I purchased a duplex in July and one side has laundry hookups however the dryer has been previously venting under the floor into the crawlspace and obviously I don't want that.

Construction ObjectivesThe budget for construction is 105k for the following items:Fix 4 of the 7 units (5 units currently vacant, 4 needing renovation and 1 needing a tenant)Add coin-op laundry and storage units.Add driveway for tenant use. 

It sounds like a wash except the $12k is a one time cost that is below the line and does not affect the NOI.