It all depends on the team you hire to manage your investment property regardless of how much you pay for it.

Consider hiring professional property management. 

The owner would need to hire an civil engineer and real estate attorney (google "condo conversion attorney") to get this process started.The civil engineer would be in charge of designing a condo map and the lawyer would be responsible for the CC&R and legal docs. 

Myself I like to go eye ball them ... all though frankly I hire people to do that for me these days   :)

I gutted the whole place myself, and hired a waterproofing company to do their thing, and install a sump pump.  

The insurance company hired a GC, but you were dealing with subs directly and signing CO's?  

if he does the work,  he is either super cheap or can't afford to hire it out cause he will lose money. what u should look for is a run down place that u can bring back to life

Of course, if you're going to hire a professional to inspect the property, then yes - you'd have to pay for that. 

I compiled all paperwork in the case and hired a property lawyer to take the case to court and receive a judgement against the tenants.

Happy to meet you all virtually, and would love to connect with others in the Dallas area.Best,Alex