That uncertainty in risk calculation almost always ends up as the root cause of the worst real estate implosions, like his.

I think everyone is rooting for Detroit to succeed as a city.. but your right when I was doing bizz there Wayne county was about as dysfunctional as could be.. 200 rehabs since the first of the year is something.. thats averaging 40 a month.. that would take a monster man power operation thats for sure. 

Mainly, because structural issues can be a complete black hole of money, time, effort--and it can be very difficult (and costly) to anticipate just how much money, time, and effort they'll consume.First, you'll need to figure out what's causing the structural issues--it could be settlement at the footers caused by ground water, it could be wood rot or termites in a beam, it could be masonry degradation caused by water coming off the roof, it could be improper drainage of the roof, it could be tree roots degrading the foundation, it could be a plumber who cut out a critical joist to install a line 20 years ago, it could be improper construction, it could be any or all of those things, and it could be any number of other potential causes.

Sponges and dish soap can be put in a small metal or black wood container to give it substance or removed for photos. 

If you wanted a root canal, would you go to the dentist that has worked in the field full-time for ten years, or would you pick the cheaper dentist that does it as a side hustle?

If you use the search function, there are a number of threads on this.Pros-you can rent by the room and make more moneyCons-students are often less experienced at living on their own and may do things that result in repairs (eg wrong soap in dishwasher), higher turnover, more calls to deal with things, higher chance of parties.If you do it, you may want to get a cleaner in once a week to clean common areas (students clean their own rooms and keep the place tidy, wash their own dishes) and you will need to get someone in to take care of the yard.

You can dig any roots in your yard . 

My gardener went to remove a tree that was growing roots underneath the foundation, and when he sent me photos, there was cigarette butts all around the back patio and front of the house

Rooting for you. 

A tree root had grown into the sewer line which became an issue once I got renters in the property who were using the showers/sewer regularly.