The downstairs is rented out as an antique shop.

In CA, I'm not sure you can go over 1.5X one month's rent for the deposit, but that could be my antiquated recollection of RE training talking as opposed to actual legislation.

You can deduct costs for storage and other fees that are owed you.If there is a surplus the money might belong to the ex-tenant.The risks are that you think the stuff is trash and it really is some antique or speciality item.

Not too many years ago, the LAW in Omaha was (after the proper court papers and proceedings) when it was time to set them out, the landlord set the stuff at the curb--there was no requirement to protect the belongings at that point, the tenant had AMPLE opportunity to remove their precious antiquities.

well... you would think that would be the case... but...this property is in a city that has no zoning, no formal way of evaluating a property and has no history of inspecting a property.home sits on 8 different lotsfurther, this isnt a rehab. the corporation who bought the home upgraded beyond belief. beautiful trim, accents, original antique knobs, new cabinets in kitchen, new appliances, new texture on walls, tasteful paint in all rooms, fans in each room, 2 big *** HVAC units, foundation repaired, new roof (although an E1 tornado touched down 1/10th of a mile from the home yesterday), new windows, gorgeous flooring is original and was refinished 2 years ago - clean, clean, clean and even cleaner!

I *do* like the antiques.

My research leads me to believe that a specific mortar needs to be used, as the stone and antique brick are not as strong as modern day products/construction.  

Real estate appraisals, just like personal property appraisals (think Antique Road Show), are best defined as a range of value, not a single price.

I have a few sources of reasonably priced furnishings and my listing states that they are antique / vintage / pre-owned.

There could be substantial value here...particularly if they're antiques or the former owner's old WW2 rifle.