I'm going off the understanding that you still need to spend 500+ hours in the business to achieve material participation (please correct me if I'm wrong). 

Sometimes I think, well maybe that newby is an expert at draining swamps....or they have a helicopter to reach the landlocked property and want to practice aerial concrete and building material transport.There was a guy on here the other day, challenging me that he could not possibly go look at all the "deals" he was going to buy in Florida for 10c on the $1. 

If it's the difference between $1800 and $2200 but you have to cover utilities too, not worth it. 

Thank you again for your response and insight.I have most luck utilizing the local MLS for minimum 6 month leases under furnished rentals  

Scope of WorkThe Subcontractor agrees to perform the following work (“Scope of Work”):Detailed description of tasks and responsibilities.Exclusions: [List any exclusions here].Materials to be provided by: [Contractor/Subcontractor].Reference drawings or plans: [Attach if applicable].2.

As others have stated, your fit & finish goals should be guided by whether you plan to:1) Rent: tenants don't always take care of a property, so you want to use lower-grade materials and workmanship.2) Flip: higher quality on workmanship and materials is usually required.Regardless, you always want to "Maintain to the Neighborhood".

Utilities are OFTEN overlooked so reach out to power, telecom, gas (or go all electric), water, and sewer to make sure you understand what it would take to get separately metered services from the primary house.

for one tenant it says that the landlord is responsible for utilities, and for the other tenant it says that the tenant is responsible for utilities.

Consider cleaning, lawn care, snow removal and supplies as well as utilities  in your calculations.  

Opt 1) utilizing our savings in the brokerage account and emergency fund and pay for it all up front.