We are pumping in some sweat equity: killing all the weeds and doing a non-organic mulch and river rock yard, power wash and paint the wooden fences, resurfacing all cabinets, faux-marble epoxy on the counter tops, and redoing the floors (there is a mix of scuffed up hardwood and wood appearing panel...looking to just make it all panel).

What makes this particular property special is that it is in DC, which is a very expensive market by the way, and it has high end finish such as custom cabinets, marble counter top & hardwood floors throughout.

Need a supplier of  budget priced kitchen cabinets and marble countertops.

If your in a state like mine that does not have de minimus statue, having one person make decisions for others could be considered a security.

You are not going to put in a farm sink and marble if you're no where near a farm and your neighborhood is filled with Millenials.

I don't mean to go against the grain of those who are selling that idea - all I can say is that it did not work for me.So.......... back to taking seminars, buying cassette tapes and books - I wanted to learn everything I could about investing in real estate ---- so--I had to get money, working capital, and I needed to go on the cheap - A friend told me about cheap properties you could buy in Baltimore - houses for only $2-3,000 and many of them could be found at public auctions.After borrowing some money and getting some credit cards and a new job - one in sales - I was ready - ready to invest in cheap- junk properties in the City.And wouldn't you know it - I got lucky at my first auction and purchased a cheap house that was boarded up - Because of all those expensive seminars I enrolled in I WAS READY - prepared with my pry-bar, flash light, level, marble and probe - I decided to go to this building that was being auctioned the next day - I sort of removed some plywood and crawled through a window to take a look -Boy was I surprised - this place looked great - I later found out that the estate boarded it to keep squatters out.The next day - I was ready with my deposit and waiting for the auctioneer to start his melodious hypnotic chant - 5 bidders appeared but did not bid because they could not get it - I was the only bidder and got the house real cheap.Today as an auctioneer, investor and developer of commercial properties - if someone would ask my opinion on how to get started I would suggest ---Continue to study but learn how to cut through the BSGet a credit line Learn 20 creative financing techniques - no money down systems (that is none of your own money)Hang with a few successful investors and pick - pick - pick their brain*** Look at 50 houses in the area you intend to invest (not expensive, blue collar, mixed rental and home owner neighborhoods)When you are finished looking at 50 properties - you will be armed with knowledge that most agents and other investors don't have - knowledge of values -Keep a journal, put listings in it, write down everything the agent or owner says, keep a record of the cost per square foot - this will help determine values -Have agents send you expired listings - go knock on the door or send a letter to ask if they are still accepting offers on the property - Remember an expired listed is a property that failed to sell - the seller should still be motivated to sell. 

The listing boasted 'NEW' Kitchen & Bath and they were blinded by the clean white kitchen cabinets/tumbled marble backsplash and new vanity in the main bath that they didn't see how cheaply it was done.

@Rick Santasiere and @Jonathan Makovsky, I'm trying to reconcile the language to make sure what I want to do is OK (short of talking to an attorney, which comes next).First, the statue Jon quotes includes the phrase "and for a fee, commission or other valuable consideration" as a prerequisite to the list of things a broker does (including collecting rent).

75 - 300 / sq' , i couldn't tell you, are you building a storage shed or a house with quartz or granite counter tops, marble floors in foyer / baths and decorative tiles in the baths, stained hardwood trim, custom kitchen and decorative trim throughout the house ?

The statue says it "terminates the lease" and doesn't give back security deposit either. .... my tenants prepaid 6 months of rent which only applies to the last 6 month this of the lease terms.