What are your tips for cleaning it?

Cleaning?

Once an environmental phase 1 study is done and ground contamination is found are these findings made public or given to a state agency to enforce clean up?

Focus on getting the property cleaned up and rented before worrying about the any deficiencies You will have to pursue him at some in small claims(Or what it is called in Mn).

As long as the purchase price is enough to not leave a lien on the property you can transfer clean title.

The kitchen and bathroom could be cleaned up and sold as is.

I have spent many years improving houses as a licensed contractor and really all you should worry about is making the place look clean and safe but let the new owners use their imagination and especialy their wallets to create the environment around the house they prefer.

id=1IaAr5B1WeT...Cleanup Job (Low cost fast flip): landscape package in front remove deckremove vines from house clean exterior, fix siding and wood rot, paint neutral beige/gray color clean driveway/weed, clean retaining wall/pavement replace flooring with mid grade flooring bottom level, carpet upstairs replace interior fixtures paint interior white trim, light color beige/gray walls, popcorn ceiling removal new kitchen appliancesRehab options: Replace deck with new one (kind of awkward that high to me) vs Remove and fill in wall or add large window to master.Potential space to move laundry into upstairs bathroom closet vs basement Can maybe get away with toilet/vanity replacement in each bathroomUncertain if painting or replacing cabinets with ikea type is worth itAny in-ceiling lighting will open up codes stuff with electrical since it is out of dateRepave/fix concrete front porch and side porch - replace/paint railingReplace front walkway cement, or remove walkway and replace with right angled walk to driveway (may not provide ROI)Tear down vs paint garage port in back yardWhich do you think provides highest ROI? 

If the landlord's already owed $500 from the security (say 2 months into a 12 month lease), that may not leave much more security to cover all future damages/unpaid rent/cleaning fees/etc. at move-out.

Even if you set all the cash-flow aside, it would take a year just to build up a $2,000 reserve which isn't enough to replace the carpet in one unit and that doesn't cover cleaning, other repairs, vacancy, etc.I don't know enough to make the decision for you but the margins seem really thin based on what you've shared.