I do the backs, bottoms and all edges before installing.I build a 2x4 base that fits perfectly underneath the inside of the base of the cabinets because well meaning tenants tend to spill the mop buckets they use every year or so and the bottom edge of those particleboard cabinets crumbles and sinks and melts into the floor "if" it ever gets wet.I too use 1x4's to back up all towel rods and such.I use 3/4 inch galvanized pipe for all shower curtain rods installed strong enough to do pull-ups.I use contact paper for all tub and shower surrounds.

RDPD was revolutionary at the time, it absolutely shattered the prevailing "dream" which was in early phases of melt-down at the time. 

@Anthony Ogletree @Curt Davis One of the major contributing factors to the great market melt down back on 08 and 09 was the banks stopping all loans for investor refi's... it killed HML's and their borrowers.

He had turned on water to the house while the valves were still open (have to have the valves open to soder them on or you'll melt the rubber inside the valves).

It seems in Atlanta a common theme is to dump tires,trash at these vacant apartment buildings than to take to the dump and pay the fees.In one instance there are about 10,000 tires dumped illegally.I have been told with that many you might can call a tire plant processing center and they will pick up and melt the tires down for you for free.Just wondering if anyone else ran across this.I know to dispose of tires yourself is about 3 dollars per tire at the dump but with this many I think the plant will pick up for free.

You have to basically sit with your money tied up for a while, hoping that rates and terms will still be what you hope them to be... and that the housing market hasn't somehow melted down.You can also do "deferred financing" before the seasoning period, but they will not loan on the appraised value, they will only loan on the purchase price. 

It's the winter that would probably kill me in Michigan though - I love that our snow here MELTS after a few days, and that we get some warm sunny days scattered through the winter.IMO, I think you could be making a great (and bold) move.

Snowbirds come when the snow falls and stay until it melts...that segment has already booked their stays or will be in the next few weeks. 

I missed the 07 to 2010 melt down memo personally  UGH.. but in hind sight yes easy to see that sub prime and liar loans was a recipe for disaster.. also the landlord business has really gotten better .. prior to 08 it was more hit and miss with the out of state investor not really understanding what it takes to run OOS rentals.. the TK operators have really shored up their systems and PM side of things.our market in PDX I would say for retail has about peaked.. and buyers are now making lower offers than in the past.. but less inventory still creates consistent sales.. 

@Max James   unemployment sky rocketed  renters defaulted like homeowners this led to a huge melt down in values in most of the heavy rental areas .. along with the markets were rampant speculation was occurring ( think Vegas  FLorida  PHX and central CA.)