We had to pay 75 bucks for a guy to come replace the garbage disposal.  

Pay him so you have all the necessary contracts at your disposal.    

If the unit is consuming all of your available disposable income, then generate some more via side jobs using skills you have or develop new ones. 

Make sure everything works and repair or replace as necessary (garbage disposal, dish washer and microwaves are typically the first to need repair).

I do know that in my area the property owner has the ability to remove the siding and dispose of it personally, which is significantly less expensive then hiring a specialized company. 

The benefit for the acquisitions company is to limit the liability when disposing of the asset.  

Too many employers view employees as disposable.

Use the resources at your disposal (VA, FHA house hacking, 203K, all of them) and be flexible in your living arrangements.  

But all of that's very different than carpet getting thrashed, shoving who-knows-what down a garbage disposal, have to do more paint touch-up after a 12-month lease than living in your home for 5 years, etc.

It is not the best tool for small properties but is is another tool at your disposal.