Another option is seeing if you can have an agent help you through the process and be a neutral 3rd party.

Entire inside was in need of a neutral paint job (every room was painted a different neon color?!)

If you have low taxes a  $1700 income may be cash flow neutral for a couple of years at 250k.

It is not always an "attorney" here who handles the FC, we also have "Receivorship Services" in different areas of the state who have the following obligation: "...To act on behalf of the court as an officer of the court and a neutral third party, with a fiduciary duty to all persons or entities which are shown to have an interest in the receivership estate, or the proceeds of the receivership estate." 

From the moment you walk in the front door, you’re greeted with newly painted, neutral walls and trim along with the freshly stained original hardwood floors throughout.

From the moment you walk in the front door, you’re greeted with newly painted, neutral walls and trim along with the freshly stained original hardwood floors throughout.

The market has changed a lot, in Colorado it was about 9-10 weeks ago that it almost flipped overnight from a very strong sellers market to a more neutral market.

D.C. moves to ban natural gas in most new buildings, aiming for carbon neutrality : NPR

If you want to bet on appreciation then make sure you can handle the property being cash neutral or negative.

Do not pay off the mortgage, leverage your money into a more neutral leverage investment with higher yields AND debt.