Tenants can smell the blood of a new landlord from a mile away and they will bite.  

I think it’s fair to say that if construction were a molecule that could be identified in one’s blood, an abundance of them would be found in mine.

Don't just run in throwing money around, even less-than-smart people will smell blood in the water right away.Even if you stand to make a fortune in this deal (and I'm hoping you are, since you're willing to torch six months rent to get into this property), don't just give money away for nothing, it's bad practice.

The GC will not tell you unless your related by blood on this matters and they will use it to there advantage.

And if it turns out to be an untenable situation (after 4 years of blood, sweat, and tears), I'm on the hook for all the construction costs??

Being in business means taking care of paperwork, paperwork is you businesses life blood when it comes to dealing with bad tenants.

And make sure to wear latex or nitrile gloves when handling dead mice, or things that may be contaminated with mouse droppings, blood, urine or saliva.  

This kid's actions are not justified by his enlistment or protected by any law.Stop trying to squeeze blood from a turnip.

I have the real estate bug in my blood and I want to build a portfolio of rentals.

You don't want any bad blood with a tenant before you become the owner.