What about the utilities, property taxes, maintenance and repairs, capex, etc. are any of those optional for you?

I don’t have a problem paying a couple grand to remove some of the just figure it out stage of learning and utilizing expertise of people that already do it. 

you can utilize a skip tracing company to get contact information for the owners.

BiggerPockets is full of resources designed to help you along your journey, whether you are just getting started or a seasoned investor.

all materials, all labor costs to others, Not you, utilities, interest payments, permits, licenses, auto/truck expenses, tools needed are all deductable. 

Would be curios if folks have also just included the cost of utilities at this price and left it unpermitted.

Understanding the IRS disaster relief provisions is crucial for residents seeking financial recovery.Under IRS guidelines, individuals and businesses in areas designated as federally declared disaster zones by FEMA may qualify for special tax relief.

Just go on fiverr and hire an interior designer in Romania for $10https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/530-short-term-and-vaca...

Do they value nicer finishes and design or is that additional cost lost on the typical tenant in that pocket?

Then plan and design how you're going to deploy that cash via what strategy your wife and you have confidence in.I use a excel or google doc and my first sheet would layout all of the details of the sale including all costs that go into getting closed.