They move furniture around and the housekeeper can't move it back by herself.

“Plan” is to Fix-N-Flip for 3-5 years and build a warchest with the long-term objective of acquiring multi-family properties for long-term income and wealth-building (for my partners, my children, and their children).  

Oh sweet summer children. 

Thanks for the quick reply, Julie - very encouraging to hear that it's an avenue worth pursuing.I used to be concerned about my personal furniture (which is not inexpensive) but after I added up the opportunity costs of NOT utilizing my primary residence as a STR in my absence, all my concerns about it vanished.

She let the children handle the estate.

I still need to speak to a mortgage broker regarding how best to acquire the property using the funds as 20% down + closing costs + light rehab and furniture install.

That policy came about after we found (years ago) tenants burning newspapers, pine branches (nice aroma, dangerous for chimney fires) old furniture and trash in the fireplace. 

You're children/grandchildren will be forever grateful for you purchasing in great areas in the DMV that will always drive traffic/rent.  

Especially if the parents are at work and children are home alone.

My heart goes out to her because she's a single mom who has lived through a tough six years: lost her husband in a motorcycle accident, raising three young children with special needs and survived a bout with breast cancer.