The pipes froze and the houses got trashed, while the banks sat there demanding loan value, which was over market price. 

Beautiful kitchen w/island, granite counter, stainless appliance package, island & dining space.

@Tom HurfordThe house is 2400 square feet, brick. 4 beds, 3.5 Bathrooms, University Heights, OH (near Cleveland)ARV: $240K-$260K Initial Budget was $58KBid from contractor: $59KMaterials I am providing: $16K (incl 2k contingency) (in bold below)Rough Scope: Landscaping (clean out window wells, remulch beds, trim bushes and trees)- L: $1845Masonry ( Tuckpoint Chimney, Tuckpoint exterior masonry around porch, powerwash brick) L&M: $1200Windows (Replace 16 Windows): L&M:$3600Roof (Inspect Slate Roof): $150Gutters (Replace all gutters): L&M: $1200Deck (Powerwash and stain): L&M: $500Front Porch (Scrape and Paint Iron Railings): L&M: $100Exterior Lights (5): L:$100, M:$200Kitchen (Complete upgrade, counters, cabinets, tile floor) L&M: $11,000, Appliances: $3,000First Floor 1/2 Bath (Complete upgrade,): L:$2000, M (supplied by me):$550First Floor Master Bath (Complete Upgrade): L:$4500, M (supplied by me):$2400Second Floor Main Bath (Complete Upgrade): L:$4500, M (supplied by me):$1800Third Floor Main Bath (Complete Upgrade): L:$2000, M (supplied by me):$1600New Entry Doors and Lockset (3): L:$300, M (supplied by me):$1025Finish Basement walls and ceiling (Frame, drywall, and Trim, 400 sq ft) L&M:$10,000Finish Basement Flooring (LVP): L:$1500, M (supplied by me):$1000Refinish Hardwood (1300 sq ft): L&M: $5000Electrical (Replace outlets, switches, faceplates, interior lighting): L:$1100, M (supplied by me):$1026Paint Prep : L&M: $600Paint Interior (floor (basement), ceilings, walls, and trim): L&M:$5000Exterior Painting (Garage door, house/window trim): L&M:$2500

In addition, you might look at this thread if you are still considering investing there as a counter perspective to what has been posted.Obviously you can make up your own mind.

Where homeowners would pretty much make you whole, less deductible, if you have, for example, a broken pipe, flood insurance coverage is much less.  

Turns out the drain pipe on the tub is leaking and the ceiling was just covered in mold.

I've got a pipe dream that maybe I can acquire it for about what is owed in taxes....am I delusional?

I think in your shoes I'd have put in my original offer and wait for the counter.

Any action I take that is not directed at recovering that control and lost revenue seems counter productive and a waste of time. 

Getting rent on the first is a pipe dream, most people use the grace period.