I really liked how nice it was and I got to know the neighbors and they're really great too.Purchase price = $31,500Rehab = $6,000 (approximately)Work done:+ Painting all rooms in the house (needed primer to cover ugly colors) + ceilings and trim+ New rainfall tub/shower faucet + plumbing+ New ceramic tile tub surround and tile base around the room+ New toilet+ New glass block window in the bathroom+ New windows in the entire house (except for large picture window), double-pane vinyl windows with tinted UV protection+ Basement laundry tub plumbing repairs+ New water heater+ Drywall replacement in upper bedroom around stairwell+ New outlets and switches in all rooms+ New light fixtures in two rooms+ New kitchen floor (sheet vinyl) also used on back hall and stairs to basement+ Miscellaneous (some new cabinet handles, smoke detectors, CO2 detectors, door knobs, new locks, curtain rods, curtains, light bulbs, grass cutting and gutter cleaning)Rented out at $875/month + utilities.The tenant I have is actually one from one of my other rentals. 

So it puzzles me, when I look at say the picture I included above where the boundary sliced through 1/3 of a house, when the house's floor elevation is flat. 

If you decide to deduct it from the security deposit instead of having them paying immediately, do this instead...Make the repairTake before and after pictures for your recordsHave them sign a work order acknowledging that a repair was made with details of repairDeduct it from the security deposit when the damage occurs not when they move out.  

I had him come out to the property to do his inspection report & he was overwhelmingly unimpressive -- didn't take any notes, didn't take any pictures, etc.

Those will give you a better picture of the product.

I'm having trouble picturing it in my head from your pictures. 

Pictures are good could be a business logo, pic of you or a property.I hve a version that looks like a Million dollar bill with my contact info on the back.

From what I can tell, the sliding windows in the pictures on the listing (included below) don't appear to meet the requirements for the window opening area to be at least 5.7 square feet, and the sill height is more than 44 inches above the floor.  

By legwork I assume he means doing something to help someone, like look up comps on property, go take pictures, check out zoning compliance, maybe even painting or something like that. 

Again the lender may not like the idea but often if they know the owner is totally out the picture you could have a foot in the door.