Get rid of weeds, tall grass, paint chips, garbage, etc.

That is, there's something wrong with them you may not care about (like chipping/peeling paint), but that a lender would care about.

Intel is a great example, who is building the largest chip manufacturing plant in the US right here, and it will be a $20 billion dollar investment that brings a few new thousand jobs. https://www.dispatch.com/story... are a few more recent investments https://www.10tv.com/article/money/business/hydrogen-power-company-hyperion-bringing-700-jobs-to-columbus/530-25907aab-5517-4661-a9f3-d2ed2d5be6b0https://columbusunderground.com/kaufman-development-purchasing-franklintons-idea-foundry-sp1/ https://highlandcountypress.com/Content/In-The-News/Headlines/Article/Development-projects-will-support-1-4-billion-in-investments-in-Ohio-communities/2/73/77342

Make sure that I dont have any paint on the eves that looked chipped or peeling.

A lot of this will depend on your (and your spouse's if applicable) job security.Freelance, self-employed, start-up vs government, union, blue chip tenure, etc. 3-6 months basic living expenses as personal reserve. 6 months if riskier employment situation. 

Equity is so hard to build, so many things chip away. 

Intel is a great example, who is building the largest chip manufacturing plant in the US right here, and it will be a $20 billion dollar investment that brings a few new thousand jobs.https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/01/21/intel-ohio-building-computer-chip-factories-licking-county-jersey-township/9173472002/ Another example of economic growth is the upcoming Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Hospital which is a 1.9million square foot hospital that will bring over 800 new beds and a thousand new jobs. https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/new-osu-hospital-expected-to-transform-health-careHere are a few more recent investments https://www.10tv.com/article/money/business/hydrogen-power-company-hyperion-bringing-700-jobs-to-columbus/530-25907aab-5517-4661-a9f3-d2ed2d5be6b0 https://news.wosu.org/news/2022-02-08/rumpke-to-build-50-million-recycling-facility-in-columbus Check out The Complete Guide to the Columbus, Ohio Real Estate Market which goes through the Columbus, Ohio market in depth and will give you a better scope of where the highest levels of growth are taking place and where to look to invest.

I could probably get it for $20,000 and fair market value is probably around 70,000 to 75,000 if I were going to sell it. you really have to be careful with lead laws in certain states. here in california they can really hit you in the pocket book if it is not done properly. i actually had to take a lead safety class. there are companies who remove these things safely and they charge accordingly. is the paint chipping off ?

Comps are always your strongest bargaining chip.

Having the passive income in the long haul is the end goal so chipping away at it now so later it will be easier.