Breakdown, 2 units are on raised foundations allowing for central heating/air but part of the main house (3/2) is a slab foundation along with the studio. 

You need to see when the major systems were updated, especially complete electrical which could have post and tube wiring or Al or silk wrapped all of which would be beyond their life, plumbing for the old cast iron pipes that split and if there is a heating / cooling package. 

We've taken pretty much all approaches, depending on conditions (excavation, hand-digging, heating, etc).

It seemed that there was some discussion of fit and finish of the area, but the key component was the permanent heat source.   

House is FULL of trash, no heat, pwr & water off for several years.

The bed was adjacent to a steam-heated iron radiator.

Needed a lot of work though, house would not hold heat.

Fast forward to last month I had a bit of a heated exchange with the husband who basically told me to try and evict him.

Fast forward to last month I had a bit of a heated exchange with the husband who basically told me to try and evict him.

I'd look at the crime heat maps on Trulia.com to get an idea of the neighborhood.Next, a physical plant inspection.