Make sure you put discount clauses and subordination verbiage in your offer.Use the Installment down payment clause.A Front Porch clause can be used to completely eliminate the down payment requirement.Write in your offer that seller pays all transfer, contributes X-$'s to you at settlement and that you receive all positive escrows if there is a mortgage to be paid off, and the seller agrees to leave stuff in the house or garage - all furniture, the old car in the garage, tools and garden stuff.

I'm being told that they brought new drains up to the roof, did not install them, and then took them back down.

But I don’t know anyone who installs.

Purchased for $185k and fully renovated the home down to the drywall and installed an A/C, sprinklers and light landscaping for $25K.

Considering adding a hot tub to my Poconos short-term rental property and wanted to get your thoughts on a few things:1.Patio vs. basement installation for the hot tub?

if you have the ability to provide these appliances and  can hook them up safely and  easily -   do it and increase the rent a bit  ....if it is  challenging to get these installed / hooked up - forego the  appliances and make  rent lower for the tenants inconvenienece

You may need a building permit to install signage and depending on the area you may need an architect's drawing of it. 

But generally lenders want to see the renovations outlined, costs, materials used, and specific descriptions (for example : install hardwood flooring for all bedrooms and living rooms). 

We do positive actions like insulate, install new windows, and install high efficiency heaters and appliances.

Try to find a small independent “guy” that can vacuum out the old Freon and replace just the outside unit and install the new Freon.