You can get multiple bids to help you sleep better at night.For future reference, generally speaking, an inspection prior to the property purchase picks up these things. 

You have 6 months to get it repaired and occupied with possible extensions if your making measurable progress that they find sufficient.

Conservative investors get 4% interest with CD at major banks while sleeping soundly. 

That should be sufficient I believe??

So, help me understand why someone who has never bought or sold a home before would think that it’s better to navigate this process on their own than listing it with a real estate agent who eats, breaths and sleeps real estate....?

Don't worry so much about what she's into it for or what her late husband bought it for or that her favorite poodle, Snookums, used to sleep under that oak tree in the backyard.

3 to 4 unit properties using FHA are subject to the self sufficiency test. 

Most section 8’s are more than one person, but assuming there would be sufficient for single people, you have no kitchens....extensive renovation costs.

A few days later as my husband is walking to our apartment the manager sees him and tells him that we cannot vacuum that early because she sleeps in and our quiet hours go until 10am.

Just ask yourself, “If I invest my money in this, will I be abke to sleep at night?”