Today is day 60 on a house that we completely gutted down to the studs that was full of blow in insulation and plaster and lathe It now has all of the plumbing, hvac and electric roughed in, closed cell insulation on the ceilings and walls and will be completely sheet rocked by the end of the week, the upstairs is and half of the living room are ready to be taped as soon as the rest of the house is done.

Have also heard that about insulation but have done it myself in past.What other areas should be considered?

I went through the police reports for the neighborhood over the past couple months and while it isn't somewhere I would want to live, the particular street this property is on seems to be more insulated.

If it works out we will purchase the house, renovate it and be able to sell it much cheaper than the surrounding properties, with room for a nice profit.

I also try to insulate myself from some of the risks.  

It's fully insulated and has its own 200 amp service.We'll probably keep this for family use, but I believe it would rent pretty easily if we decided to go that route.

Why spend 40k for one of your properties located in the few "nicer" areas of Pontiac or Detroit, which are surrounded by ghetto, when you could get very decent/average properties for that amount in the nicer suburbs outside?

-GeoffMake sure there is adequate weatherstripping in doors, insulation in attic so that tenants don't get stuck with high high utility bills unnecessarily.

So my mom rents a 1 bedroom of a 6 unit building.She is on the ground floor.My mom is older so the size is manageable for her.3 days ago she calls me.Apparently the ceiling in the den in back is leaking.I go over to take a look.The leak is right in the center of the room above a ceiling fan.I immediately turn off the power for the breaker switch to the back.My mom calls the landlord and apparently the tenant upstairs washer implodes or leaks etc. and water is all over their floor.The landlord says he has stopped the leak but that it's 1 a.m. in the morning and he can't run the shop vac until the next day because of the other tenants.So over the last 3 days the landlord hasn't even came by my mom's apartment.I took digital pictures of the damage and we tarped the floor and furniture and have 2 buckets to catch the water.Even though the leak has stopped (according to him) it is still dripping slowly into the buckets.Half the ceiling I would say in the back about 3 4 by 8 sheets are sagging and some parts have fallen down and the insulation is exposed.I told my mom that the ceiling fan will have to come down,the electrical wiring inspected,the ceiling areas with damaged pulled down,and the insulation taken out.The area will have to dry and then put back insulation,drywall,new ceiling fan and finish.I am watching this guy like a hawk to make sure he doesn't rig it.This has happened in some of his other buildings with a pipe leak and he let it "dry" out and rigged it.The other tenants complained of being sick and having mold in the unit and moved out.This guy has another business and self manages about 20 units.I am concerned for my mothers safety.The last thing older people need is mold and mildew issues for their lungs.He will repair in the correct way.If he does not I will have no choice but to take to court as my mom's health is paramount.I ma hoping he will do the right thing as he has in the past.I can't get over the fact it's been 3 days since the incident and he still has not fixed it or checked the electrical.If this was my building I would handle it immediately.Just wanting to get others take on this and what you would do.The buildings are 20 years old but in a nice,safe area and my mom likes her neighbors.

The Architectural Control Committee shall exercise its best judgment to see that all improvements,construction, landscaping, and alterations on lands within the Properties conform to and harmonize with existing surroundings and structures.Thus, it appears I need to make the case that our house colors don't disrupt the harmony of the existing surroundings.