What do you do when that pot of stashed expenses gets rather large?

In any case, this person has the same occupation and ownership rights as you do in this property.If this person is nice enough, they might voluntarily choose to quitclaim their share to you, perhaps for an agreed upon amount of money, if your goal is to own the property in your own name alone.

I can do whatever I want with either pot of cash in the end.

My biggest takeaway is to have a plan for meals until the kitchen is complete - not that difficult, slow cooker, air fryer, instant pot makes it easy.

Low hanging fruits, clean and safe common areas, brand new mulch, flower pots etc.Then I research what similar units in the neighborhood are listed for on Zillow, Craigslist etc.

It’s unlikely anyone would voluntarily give you the difference.

i bought tile from floor & decor before for two renovations, got a fair deal there, depends on how set you are on the design i guess - i have decided to replace the carpet in both of the new projects with luxury vinyl instead, i think it looks almost the same but is a bit more 'every day life friendly' today. waterproof, no tiles that crack when you drop a pot or other heavy object, no grout lines that change color, easy to clean, lifetime warranty, floating installation etc. 

She contests this, but it is clear her adult son is living in one of the rooms, attempting to grow pot in the closet, has punched holes in the wall/destroyed drywall, etc. 

Maybe start w a taped letter to their front door stating that you haven’t been able to get in touch with them, that you are new owner and would like to talk about their plans and their options, that you do not want to evict them but, if you don’t hear back from them in 72 hours, you will have no choice.You can always do the eviction process but maybe, they might be open to voluntarily going if you can allow then a certain period of time in which to re-locate…

Don’t bother - it won’t make a difference . tenants will do what they need to do regardless if you make the pot sweeter or not.