A lot of this are eviction-worthy events in our leases although I'd have to say that different people staying overnight would be harder for us to nail than the same person staying overnight for 2 weeks.  

While it could use a little more polish (small things, like maybe interior paint), it has some major features that those don't have - brick and stone exterior, great fireplaces, etc.The question is, how variable are appraisals?

He has hit the nail on the head.  

Sorry...this hits the nail on the head so well I had to copy and paste:@Chris Piper , so in short, your strategy is: find sucker-Sellers to let YOU tie up their property for a REFUNDABLE deposit, then find sucker-Buyers who'll give you NON-refundable deposits?...

I'm thinking about polished concrete counters for durability's sake.

It's a fad short term because it's not fully polished but it will be the future when it is polished.

A year into this whole process the tenant, who still had not paid a dime, fought tooth and nail to retain her right to the property.

@Steve Vaughan probably hit the nail on the head.

In fact you hit the nail on the head with the drywall scenario, because he did drywall a few walls and ceiling and it took days.

Mainly because I have a tool buying problem...anyway. my question is if I had to buy a roofing nail gun in order to roof the property would that qualify as an expense that could be deducted that same as a new sink or the roofing material?