My rentals outside Marion county are commanding higher rent.  

We do intend to make significant renovations inside of the properties while occupying them since we plan to purchase discounted duplexes in the nicer area of downtown and can command higher future rents/appraisal with high quality finishes (how much we update will depend on the point of diminishing returns in terms of rent and property valuation).  

If you want, you can add back in any principal payments, although they are syill out of pocket expenses.Remember, the previous landlord wants to make the property look better than it is, as the ROI numbers look better and it will command a higher price.  

This may affect your decision if you plan to sell the property after a few years of renting it.Consider the Market and Rental Readiness: If the market is currently favorable for renters and your property needs minor repairs to be rental-ready, it might make financial sense to do those repairs now rather than waiting, especially if you can command higher rent.

I have sat in an HOA meeting where I commanded 14 votes, in a room of 20 HOA members.

What matters is what is the housing preference in your market and at what price does it command. 

What your inferring is that you have full commanding capacity to build "to code" via persons happy to work in violation of building code.

Now you can be stubborn and throw my advise in the wind and you WILL keep on struggling... or do as your overlord commands, and dominate.Are you all ready to bend the knee and do as I command?

Such would be instrumental towards commanding top rental returns, minimizing taxes and establishing better operating procedures.So far, I have gone to two of my local banks but they refused to do business with me since I do not have two years worth of tax returns. 

Some folks just have a terrible command of the English language when written.