I'm a lawyer in the Boston area with more or less equal measures of experience in litigation and transactional law, both of which have occasionally verged into the real estate domain. 

Two people could look at the same measures, and rationally argue whether they indicate the market is undervalued or overvalued.The key is looking for an under-market deal.  

You need 7' clear above each tread measured at the nosing.  

If I had to ballpark, I'm aiming to save 15-25k for a down payment.

Without having done it myself, I'll defer to more experienced investors to answer that but I would aim for the months category.

So, someplace, there should have been some restrictive measure that evaporates after time.  

@Will Johnston I'm a native Washingtonian and have lived in and worked on these rowhouses most of my life as a carpenter & contractor so I speak with some authority on this.One of the first things I assess is whether the property is racked via settling , if this is the case and an entire perimeter wall is listing repair measures can be more intensive.

I'd say the reason investors don't CYA is that they don't know, it's just another aspect of not knowing what can go wrong and not knowing how to address measures to prevent future problems.

I measured the rough in at 14" and went to Lowes.  

Aim for a 12 month agreement.