Since then I have had few vacancies and have invested about $8,000 to replace a roof, a few appliances, and a basement flood situation, due to roots in the drain.  

Of course, the potential for appreciation is 4% easily a year or even 10% in these areas but again the numbers show a market that is not rooted in reality.

The answer was simply to clean out the tank and remove some roots that had grown in.I did call the city when the house was empty to get them to run a line to get "regular" sewer services (there's a big push in my county to move from septic tanks to helping folks tie into city sewer lines). 

I will say, if you really think the root problem is her, I'd offer cash for keys and get her out quickly.   

What is the root cause of their lateness?

I have a duplex here in Omaha that appears to have some root growth in the sewage piping, which is causing a reoccuring clogging issue. 

do what u love.. indeed continuing education and living in a state of grace are paramount over numbers, net worth, etc in these times where material wealth/power are covertly at the root of much dismay world over

I get it they were with the company 20-30 years, but now have kids and grandkids and roots in the area, and did not want to leave. 

Maybe this is the true root of my frustration. 

The reason is rooted in our DNA and is not a fixable thing.