Upgraded kitchens, bathrooms, and other items that hadn't been touched for years What was the outcome?

You just have to handle cleaners and maintenance items. 

I was referred to Hospitable on another post and want to use them.I am struggling getting set up on Hospitable to start self managing property. 

I have some great agents, contractors, property managers, and attorneys who I can refer you to!

So far, we have received this advise from appraisers in the Maple Heights area: 1) Attach all offers so the next appraiser can better understand the market value, 2) Provide a letter from the Maple Heights Building Department discussing the addition of the egress window making the bedroom conforming livable space, 3) provide comps for similar properties sold in the Maple Heights area (these do not have egress windows), and 4) create an itemized list of improvements and cost for renovations to the property.We are grateful to the Bigger Pockets community for their advice as well. 

For the most part its just health and safety items, which are items we should have remedied anyways.As someone else mentioned, biggest thing to avoid is having the house tagged as vacant which the city will do if it sits empty for too long (handful of months, grass not cut, etc).

.: Does he have a 'method' and a legion of cult like followers who refer themselves as a creature often used to make boots, wallets and belts? 

He should be familiar with doing developments that you are looking to build and give you ballparks for each line item if not find one that is able to do that.

The 25K would go towards a rate buy down.As far as accounting for cap ex and maintenance for newly replaced/updated items, I'd still recommend doing it.

“Again, the money was for ORES,” she answered, referring to her company.