Far too many I have seen go many years with no retirement and then try to play catch up. 

We're looking to renovate something before the end of the year to accomplish 2 things: 1) Improve home value so we can get appraisal, refinance and leverage that to buy a new property. 2) Take advantage of the tax credits that are out there in 2024 before the new year or is it better to wait until 2025 and just hold onto the cash I have at hand.Here is a list of renovations that will need to be done eventually:*Brand new basement kitchen (cabinets + add seating area - we already have brand new dishwasher, fridge, gas oven)*New standing shower in the basement bathroom*New Siding*AC/Furnace for unit 1 are close to end of life but still functioning*New Fence/landscaping*New Windows for the basement*New Garage (unstable, concrete shifting, very old)*Solar Panels on the roof (There is a $0 down payment lease option w/ sunrun, but I'm hesitant to move forward)*Renovate master bedroom closet for tenants (it is old & has built in entertainment center that is very dated)*Repair Catch basin*Adding better drainage system for back door.Greatly appreciate any help, insight or advice!

Multiple reasons why - high turnover, language barrier, individuals not representative of your brand, etc. 

You keep the note in play and you do a second . 

- and finally once you do this, realize it will never even be close to how it actually plays out in real life, but it can serve as a guide for what sort of money you may need to save up to try and actually accomplish something like this.

Lacey asked for $20K for furnishings and another $10K to convert the garage to a play room and add a pool heater.

Many play "dumb" (but is it playing?)

So it isn't a complete waste, you would simply need to follow the strict reading of the law with no private clauses for consideration...I'm not sure how that plays out since technically if the lease is void, so is the tenancy meaning you could terminate anytime and not wait for the original lease expiration...I'm sure that's covered somewhere, but again I'd ask my local atty what to do given this is such a locally specific issue. 

I personally dont know where title insurance comes into play with these either if your not recording a debt instrument and then getting a lenders Alta

You could go into NJ (although the cost to play is high in Northern, but the rents can be very nice), or you could bypass and head into PA near Delaware Water Gap and get low taxes and good renter options.