I am not as harsh as, if she doesn't have money in the deal then she has no input.

This is an all-too-common mistake: a rental sits vacant, less-than-desirable tenants are approved, and then those tenants don't pay and cause issues.You have to rip the bandaid off and ask them to leave.This may sound harsh, but it's not entirely the tenant's fault.

If you feel they're being too harsh, think about their intent.

I see deals everyday that I am confident I can execute profitably, but no matter how successful I once was, the last 10 years have been harsh.

Look at the topography and terrain to determine how.Evaluate fundamental infrastructure and service availability, as well as expose examples like wetlands and flood zones, protected lands, hazardous chemicals etc.

Everything I read online says DO NOT use exterior stain on the interior due to the fact it gives off harmful chemicals. 

I later heard but never exactly why, that the place was an absolute money pit and the buyer, who was very experienced, regretted buying it big time.It is interesting, but I ALWAYS do at least a bit of research on the prior owners and have found few "hard luck" stories, at least as far as either higher or high priced single fams go, they're by far the same story where the owner makes the financial decision to walk away, mainly due to the insane HELOC's etc they were giving out, like 125% of home's current value back in like 2006, so now they'll owe literally like $750k on a home that IF in great shape would at best fetch $500k, PLUS they trashed or semi-trashed the place, so they'd be really lucky to get $400k as is and often they may be business owners or whatever and have a relationship with a local bank who will then know "the whole story" behind the big hit they take to their credit score and not treat it nearly as harshly as the average Joe, who's practically banned from even entering the bank for years!

And that's the harsh kiss of reality, right, ya get what you pay for.... 

Bashing Loanman, Missingascrew, & Art Vandalay does nothing but further provoke the harsh criticism you shall receive.

You will get efficiencies of scale with chemicals and service calls.