my recommendation would be porcelain wood-look tile with chemical grout (Never seal, no stain) in the whole house.

Consider I just estimated rent at $975-1,000 on a 3 bed SFR, a couple streets over in Cleveland Heights schools the same house would be around $1,100 - around a 10% discount.The area is also geographically isolated from the rest of East Cleveland.We have represented over a dozen doors in this area and have not had significant issue with excess repairs or vacancy.You are already well prepared since you know about the nuance of the area.Actually, it's a Duplex, 3/2,2/1 that according to rentometer can give 1460$ (2 units) so maybe i let the agent check the repair estimate and the arv if the pos is not so harsh. 

People are afraid of what they don't know, in some areas people don't want city water because it comes with the city price tag and chemical taste/smell, in other they're afraid of what is in the water and what could go wrong because they're used to the city water.

Um, this is a bit harsh and unnecessary IMO.

Finally, if you can’t or don’t want to handle it this way (many people think it’s too “cold” or “harsh” or just cannot operate this way) then send your rentals back to a good property manager who WILL treat it like business.

Search past threads on this, some mention a chemical, TDP.Also have all the vents mechanically cleaned/brushed.Ozone generator in there for a couple of days post cleanup.

So, I didn't have to take any major steps to remedy the issue, but I am interested to hear others' tips.My real estate agent said that there is some chemical that you can put on the walls and literally watch the nicotine run out of the walls (don't recall the name).

The effort usually put in to trying to sue others is usually better served trying to find better ways to succeed for yourself.I hope that does not come off too harsh, as I honestly feel your pain. 99% of the folks in the investment world are feeling pain, so that makes it difficult to find very many professional investors who are receptive to others crying on their shoulder.

Not trying to be harsh here, but if you don't understand landlord tenant law, especially in a landlord friendly state, you should absolutely not try to self manage.

It dumps forever chemicals into the water, rats chew on them, and I find it difficult to believe that PEX will last more than 25 years.