And I have no compunction about doing it (though fortunately I haven't had to so far).The dog peed on your floor, and left hair and dander that will require additional cleanup, if you want your place restored to its original condition.  

That's not how it works.We have to examine if this is a betterment, adaption, or restoration to determine capitalization vs expensing (repairs or maintenance). 

We were restoring the homes that flooded in our area.

I've nearly completed the interior restoration and all units are rented out (wife and I live in the 2/1 SF).

My father and I have been restoring and flipping cars for over a decade, we both have a full time job and this was just a hobby on the side.

One mistake I see is people massaging the debt to try and make a deal make sense to purchase.

This isn’t something that you have massaged making it something that it isn’t. 

(She told me that no landlord ever deducts money from the security deposit to clean up, after the tenant moves out) Someone has to pay to get this efficiency into move-in condition and restore it to the way it was, when she moved in.

@Ryan DeasyUsually in Connecticut any changes you are proposing need to be approved and reviewed by the historical board / committee in addition to the regular city inspectors.In Bridgeport they are a few 80 year olds who meet every other month on Tuesday to review proposals to restore their sacred properties. 

I also have an interest in furniture and hardwood restoration.