Cleaning the surface of the fiber will make it look better and even make it smell better in most cases, but chemical application and subsurface extraction may be required to correct the issue.

Genny Li I don't want to be as harsh as Ian Barnes, but you might want to spend little more money than you are planning.It is getting harder to find cheaper houses where you want to buy houses.The ones you will find will need more updates than you are planning to do.For example, Painting Cabinets versus Replacing them is a good idea but also can keep your house vacant longer than it should be.There is competition in those neighborhoods.

We opted not to use a chemical stripper because we try to avoid chemicals as much as possible.  

Add in that colleges are pretty sheltered from the harsh realities of life already. 

There are some harsh realities for any property built on a barrier island.

I tell people the harsh realities they often dont want to hear.

What you see on TV compared to reality is very harsh! 

Nine chances out of ten the roof is a modified roof (asphalt chemical composition; essentially a one square shingle) which is applied using a torch or set in cold process (roof cement).

Sorry to be harsh but you need to hear this - Your photos are awful. 

And depending on your layout, the pest guy might need his chemicals to sit and dry for a few days before any mulch is spread, for instance.