Obviously we are probably going to be exceedingly cautious being new at this, and since I have not yet put a mortgage on the property, for better or worse, I'm under no financial pressure to fill it immediately to make payments - only lost opportunity cost!

@Cliff MccueI prefer the city but Im also constantly looking at acquiring in:Park Ridge, Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Wheeling

After a year, the utility company requires air pressure tests, permits, meter/safety checks and who know what other hoops I'll discover and jump through.

Don't pressure the tenants, do this instead.

They'll probably pay you rather than have you file a claim, but more likely will work on your behalf to put pressure on the seller.The people involved will probably tell you its too late, but thats because thats the easy way out for them.

I recently found out about a company here in Olympia that sells a ceiling-mounted radiant heating system.

If I was bidding that job I would charge $70 per lineal foot to remove and dispose of old heaters and mount and wire new ones.

Some basics that come to mind would be painting, pressure washing, light drywall patching, carpet cleaning, general house cleaning when the rehab is done.

I gave them a semi-flexible, semi rigid deadline to let me know; I didn't want to apply too much pressure, but I didn't want the deal to get away.

Could be from relieving hydrostatic pressure from a slab floor. :)