Also, I know I shouldn't let my emotions affect my investment decision, these are all very old houses and I can't help but think that every time I turn around I will have to deal with repairs of the roof, flooring, stairs, driveway, furnance, so on and so forth non stop.  

.- Additional subfloor (wood) and cement board (floor) $100- Shower cement board $75- Waterproofing Membrane (I like to do this) $150- Shower wall tile (80-90 SF) $150- Flooring tile (30-40 SF) $100- Tile setting and grout $75- Vanity with top and mirror (24" it looks) $250- Toilet, wax ring and feed line $100- Faucet, feed lines and trap $75- Trim $25- Accessories $40- Fan/light $150- Vanity Light $50- *Shower diverter valve with trim kit and plumber to install and help set tub/drain. $750- Screws, adhesives and fasteners (cement board screws, caulk, etc) $50- Paint $40- Miscellaneous $100TOTAL: $2530With all of that said these numbers would be my BASE run, and assuming I was spending my budget amount on each item.

The outside was finished with a cement render

There were a few aesthetic lighting changes on the 1st floor (get rid of the sconces). later he drew up plans to deal with a problem of the stairs leading to the basement.Oh, yeah.... the stairs.

I have not received a quote yet, but I'd have to buy the flooring and stair nose.What would you do?

My personal big mistakes have been - buying home with converted garage and only car port (buyers here in So Cal, especially the guys, want/need a garage), bought a house with 55 stairs from street to front door - never again, and largest financial mistake was not going with my gut and chose to go with a new agent to list a multi million dollar property rather than my proven agent or myself.

The Tenant now has the resolve to fall down the stairs and test exactly how strong your lease and insurance is when they claim the landlord's at fault, or disable the fire alarms claiming they haven't worked in months and you did nothing about it, regardless of what your lease says as to who is responsible for maintaining them, god forbid they start an 'accidental' fire and now your insurer is looking to you as to why the smoke alarm was disconnected not wanting to pay out; you may get some of your $ back out after countless court sessions, time wasted and $$$$ for your lawyers to justify it all for you and set it straight, completely cutting hard into whatever investment strategy you may have had. 4 - Just because you put it in a lease, review it with them, have them sign it, have them take a picture with it, get their DNA on it... does NOT make it legal.

Lumber is up 30%+, flatwork/cement are up over 20% and this was before Hurricane Harvey.  

Any damage to the Premises (including, without limitation, concrete walkways and stairs) caused by Tenant's use of ice melt, salt or similar product shall be the sole responsibility of Tenant, and Tenant shall be responsible for the cost and expense any repairs required as a result thereof."

The daughter was passed out on the stairs and the neighbor called the police and told the police that she belongs to my unit.