A trustworthy contractor thought the lower kitchen cabinets were sturdy, so it could be granite going in if I can get the right price. 

If an HOA wanted to implement policies with regards to screening tenants, how long is their leash?

The key to its strength is its long and sturdy root, which extends deep into the earth.

Depending on weather you want good cash flow or good tenants and sturdy appreciation?

Making sure that everyone you come in contact with knows that you are an interested buyer and will look at anything is another sturdy leg.

Somehow I thought I had read here that you need to get cash for deposit *and* first-month when you signed the lease; otherwise, you are committed to the contract but you don't have the money in hand...I very much related to Eric Michaels' comments; I'm not at all sure I really have the motivation or sturdiness for this business... but I'm going to be sturdier next time than I was this last time - it's amazing how out-of-control things got in just a couple of days...

Evaluation all done on leash. 

No one lets fish run around without a leash.

The staircase did not look sturdy enough to go all the way up. 

Block is certainly more sturdy but has its own associated issues.