Financially you might end up in a wash at the moment but you would be building equity and an investment property in an area that's more affordable while maintaining a place to stay when you visit your parents.Sooooo many variables involved in doing that but I just wanted to put it out there that if it works for you, it's an option to take a peak at.

And while it's more difficult for flippers to sell the final product, it is much easier to find deals, so bottom line it's a wash.

If the house had a 15 year old stove, 8 year old microwave, 8 year old refrigerator, and 12 year old washing machine I wouldn't get anything for those either no matter their condition. 

it's common for small business owners to send their own employees out to properties they own to make repairs, then the expense washes into their business account and they never think of it unless i ask directly.  

One thing they complain about is the effort of basically running a hotel (cleaning and washing sheets every day, new people coming in and out all the time, etc.).

Mulch I could understand washing away, but a larger aggregate stone shouldn't wash unless it is really steep. 

@Bobby Shell Hypothetical $100000 to invest Buy 3 rentals with $30000 down or 5 rentals @ $20000. rent income $ 1000 expenses 50%= $500 to cover debt service. 30% down = $330 payment. 20% down=$380. 30% nets $170 per month x 3=$510. 20% nets $120x 5=$600 about a wash.

By the end of "active day 5" we have the house emptied, cleaned walls, almost all the trash is gone from the yard (still have a driveway full of sofas, mattresses, & appliances to take to the dump on Monday). 3 1/2 rooms are painted in Kilz primer, the toilet is set temporarily, the flooring is all up , the walls all washed, the back yard almost cleaned.

How often do you wash comforters?  

Have a plans for dishes (I washed them in the bathtub for a couple of weeks.)