I hired an environment surveyor to do some of the due diligence you talked about --soil/perc test, drainage, utility, fire requirements, required setbacks, conceptual site plan, etc.For now, I am doing it by stages.

I use Surface Solutions in Canton, MI for instance.

We do have a lot of eastern block non English speakers that are great at hard surfaces and paint . but they will also hire hispanic labor. 

Fully acknowledged that I'm not an architect/contractor with the credibility to make that judgement, but I consulted in person with several architects and contractors who all agreed that the addition looks at surface level well-built. 

I would rather go and touch up paint here and there, which you'll have to do anyways rather than scrub paint off my new finished surfaces.

I'm just wondering why the siding is damaged near the surface of the ground.

None of this was surfaced prior to the purchase.

Great news regarding drainage work not being required.

This bit of info never surfaced in the hearing however.   

We're looking for our first house hack as well so I'm hoping to see some deals surface in the next few months but the progress on the virus will be one of the major factors contributing to how accessible these deals become.