I love seeing older homes restored to their glory.We're in the same boat... many of our rentals are in better shape than our own home... what's that saying about "the cobbler's children have no shoes?"

Landlord may withhold from the Security Deposit such amounts as are reasonably necessary to (a) remedy Tenant’s default in the payment of Rent; (b) restore the Premises to its condition at the commencement of the Term, ordinary wear and tear excepted; or (c) compensate Landlord for actual damages sustained as a result of Tenant’s failure to give adequate Notice to terminate this Lease pursuant to law or the terms hereof; and as may otherwise be permitted by applicable law."

SAVED MY TOSH when the restoration of a fire took 14months (covered 12). 

Further, the tenant may be entitled to be restored to occupancy (RPAPL § 853; NYC Admin.

If the work done is a betterment, adaptation, or restoration to the building system as a whole, the work must be capitalized.

So, as an alternative I let them choose to get the liability coverage for their animal that covers me.Its the same as someone with a wheelchair, if they want to have a ramp into your house, they have to pay for it and pay to remove it and restore the property when they leave. 

I would really love to have my faith in REOs restored!

They will still be hiding under there for a later restoration if desired.

I know fulton county is doing a restoration program why wouldnt this incentivize you to snatch these properties up?

If a bank has offers from two or more viable purchasers, they can either negotiate with only one purchaser and tick off the rest, or they can issue a Best and Highest counter.