Honestly with your lack of experience, you would really benefit from an experienced agent to show you around a home.Even if you have your real estate license, they don't just give you a magic key to let you into any house.

I have recently had several clients pursue investments in New Hampshire. No more then 2 hours from Boston, one of the highest priced markets in the country you tend to find many good investments for much less acquisit...

Even if the cash is the same as the Quiet title action, it benefits you to not have to wait for that action to take place.   

I would be sure that a ductless fan will meet building code.

Are you familiar or have researched the Tax code?

Whats the benefits from doing that?

If he (or you) don’t want to deal with real estate any more in his retirement, you could 1031 exchange to a DST (or portfolio of DSTs) - defer all the tax - get income from the portfolio - and still get benefits of real estate (depreciation, possibly tax advantaged cash flow).

The property had been vacant for years and at some point the city had tagged it as effectively “condemned” until certain code violations were resolved.

The timing seems about right for you now to actually benefit from your investment.It is one thing to be able to brag about owning a million dollar property it is something much different to actually have a million dollars.  

These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics.