We added a wood burning fire stove (we got for free), poured a concrete patio off the back porch, freshened up the landscape, re-seeded the yard, and did a few other odds and ends with finishes.

I'd still get my handy guy to open the wall since the seed of mold is planted in your tenant's mind now, so you don't want to risk appearing half-a$$ed about it.

Sod is expensive though have you looked into laying grass seed to cut down costs.  

Never spending your "seed money"...use it to infinity, buy never spend it. 

I found the deal, partner bought all cash, we split the profit after he recouped all his seed.

@Damien Pulvino I see Des Moines on your initial list, I’m a local RE agent & investor in the area happy to give you some real life sceneries you can expect to see in this market.

In my case it was getting enough capital that I could get seed money for Brrrring and then because of the crazy good cashflow from STR’s it didn’t take many to get the cashflow to far exceeded our personal expenses.

You plant the right seeds and harvest a bountiful crop!

Years later he’s a doctor and my net worth is still much higher because I planted seeds while he was hunting for killer deals.

I can negotiate either a cash rent agreement on a per seeded acres basis, or I can negotiate a crop-share joint venture if it is in an area with a farmer that I know and trust (higher risk, higher reward with crop share).2.