'Value' is not an exact science either, but the premise behind REI is that in general there is a long track record of RE growing in value.Leverage does not adversely affect your net worth or cash flow.

Cash-on-cash return is a simplified calculation and translates across most properties and investorsI always keep track or mortgage paydown and annual tax savings separately from my cash-on-cash calculation.

But what a lot of people don't know is that if you have owned your property for say 5-10 years - all that deferred appreciation your county tax appraiser has been tracking all those years - but not able to pass it along to you due to the caps on increases - goes out the window.  

The more established borrowers with a track record likely have their banking relationships in place so how to you earn their business?

I would make the repairs, get tenants on track, and return it to the market while sales are still strong.

Check your state laws because I think you can charge 2x the first year but after that you have to reduce it to one month of rent.More important is solid screening, then policies and procedures to keep tenants on track so they don't get out of control.

They can be helpful in just doing the paperwork and keeping you on track with deadlines.

It's the best you can get and they track actual leases in your market, not what Sally thinks she can get for her converted garage. 

Is he on the right track, or is there more to the tenant screening equation?

@Dan IllesYou can get software that will track the engagement of your posts and run A/B test.