I now buy the cheapest home depot set.

Anyone have worked with a loan depot mortgage agent for an investment property in Austin?

I typically go to Home Depot and there are usually a lot of people to choose from but I also find it's hit or miss at least from the two workers I've used from there, but it's part of the process.

I paid $80 Cdn at Home Depot to replace one.

My job requires me to split my time between Center City and the west suburbs so I am looking at neighborhoods on the west side of town (Manayunk, Brewerytown, Point Breeze, Strawberry Mansion, Fairmount, Spring Garden, etc).One of the most interesting things about Philadelphia is how each neighborhood is unique and has different opportunities to offer - it's one of the things that intrigues me most about this market.

No matter how much of a livable space it may resemble, if the basement or garden level isn't legal habitable space, you are taking on significant risk renting it.

Home Depot and Lowes also have great pro services for some projects.  

Stop people you see actively working Ask friends, family, social media (FB, LinkedIn, etc.)Go to Home Depot EARLY (6 AM) and see who is there getting a jump on the dayAlways provide people with a clear punchiest and get multiple bids so you can compare apples to apples. 

Get the bigger plastic pots from Home Depot or Lowes and plant small bushes in them.

I would be inclined to order a deck cleaner/wash, a deck paint of your color preference, and general paint/staining supplies (brushes, rollers) from a nearby Home Depot/Lowe's, pay for them, and have them available for pick-up by the tenant at the contractor's desk.