If you give them a property with torn up carpet and paint peeling with holes in the doors, it'll get a lot worse. 

Equipment: sheets of plywood for all downstairs openings, tools, empty boxes for their stuff, lock sets for every door, stack of 2X4's, long screws, nails, fake security cameras, no trespassing signs with California Penal Code 602 PC, gloves, masks, trash bags...If they won't leave, call the police (who won't help you but them showing up may make squatters run).  

It is just masked.

@Theresa Harris Thanks, will definitely wear gloves/mask and wrap it up before taking it out.  

I'm done cutting in with my 4" block brush long before a hack has has even taped and masked. 

If the prop is listed as an A- but a quick Google Earth shows tire-less cars in lawns and peeling paint, it’s time to walk away.Of course, market research is crucial, but nothing beats looking people in the eye.

One section of the apartment has some varnish/finish peeling that I noticed around the 2nd year I was living here and over time has gotten worse.

With duplexes, the only challenge with FHA is that that the property still needs to meet strict requirements as far as the condition (e.g. no peeling paint, no exposed live wiring, etc., etc.)

All the investors and business people I work with tell me California hunts down businesses that incorporate out of state to mask doing work in state. 

It the popcorn ceiling peeling at the corner, might it be full of asbestos?