So its a wash for income tax purposes.

So would take the extra time to remove all wallpaper Wash, Repair, and Sand the drywall first before Painting.

YOU may not need a 'jump partner', who will push you out of the plane when you start bringing up the myth's and lies to why you might fail at this project. 

All digital platform can push out quotes and multiple quotes very quickly.

Don't let this tenant push you around! 

Quote from @John Archer: Yeah I was just curious, A big reason why I started to listen to him was because BP was pushing his book. 

For rental to be in same condition when rented by tenants, I will need to: touch-up paint, clean house, wash windows, clean carpet.

As long as appreciation and pricing pushes investors out of Boston to other tenant heavy areas that have job growth or easy access to highways/transport it will likely continue to improve.Very similar to the growth/improvement of Worcester from what Worcester looked like ~10+ years ago.

You also need to stock the house with consumables such as coffee, towels, dish soap and body wash and shampoo etc.  

It generally all comes out in the wash.