And he explained that he had tried to sell 2 years ago, but the buyers never finished the paperwork, moved into the home, and ghosted him.

I assumed materials, permits, labor and drawings would be around $100/SF using basic finishings

McDonalds would not sell many burgers if people walked in, ordered a burger, paid for it and then had to pay the cook for his time. 

You will be able to see the floor plans, colors and finishes that are selling right now.

They uncovered some foundation issues that made it impossible to recoup the cost of finishing.

So I've pretty good luck with the other option: I buy cute, inexpensive ceramic cartridge faucets off ebay or amazon or on sale at a box store-- the ceramic cartridges are relatively trouble free and when the finish is shot I"ll just get a new one.

@Isaac BazekJust finished "Fake by Robert Kiyosaki."

The refinance closed on the same date as our tenant signing their lease only 3 weeks after the rehab was finished.

@Larry Turner at the duplex level, your concerns are primarily the same as single family, plus add historic financial statements.Beyond building condition, I would make sure you know market rents, and what quality of finishes are required to achieve this. 

I am only working part-time and going to school full-time, but I do not want to be a "poor person" finishing school and getting a job.