Unless you're getting family memories and like using the place then it might be time to cut losses and move to a new investment. 

Audit expenses and cut the fat.

How do folks keep up with cutting back the weeds.

This way you can weed out the lookie loos and people who aren’t qualified, while also cutting down on the number of times you show the property!

Even though WE are NOT originating a loan here; it would be the EX-Husband who would be "originating" the Loan (by taking back the Deed of Trust and Note) in order to SELL his 50% interest in the house, the TIE IN is with our BUYING or INVESTING in the purchase of the DOT and Note to generate CASH to him, and CASH OUT to Her is wherethis becomes a "Gray Area" of whether it violates any of the CFPB Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus requirements and could be re-characterized as a high cost LOAN IN DISGUISE ALTERNATIVE THINKING We are thinking a better way to go here IF the EX-Wife agrees; it to SELL the house NOW, pay off the EX- Husband and enter into a 3 year LEASEBACK with the buyer of the home. 

Since I'm trying to cut costs, I do plan on having the next two tenants pay for water as well. 

So I am assuming he makes money from wood cutting  but claims no income to the IRS and FTB?

They would not renew unless the roof is replaced, and liability limits were cut in half.  

If you don't want to cut your realtor out completely - have them list the house for you when the renovation is done! 

If there is something that I don’t feel I can accomplish with professional results, while cutting costs, I would contract that out.