So I'm yet to develop confidence in discerning between a hair-brained idea and a good strategy.

Your actions right there are the #1 best defense of the seller, that it was THOUROUGHLY gone through and nobody caught it, which is evidence to affirm sellers statement that they were not aware of any issues. 

@Austin Davis - Here’s how an attorney explained pet fees as a “prohibited provision” at a Cedar Rapids landlord training earlier this year.NOT okay:Non-refundable pet depositMonthly pet fees (increased rent)OK:Refundable pet deposits (up to a total deposit of 2x rent)Withholding security deposit or charging for expenses incurred due to the pets (i.e. vacuuming animal hair out of ductwork)The gist he conveyed was that fees (not just with pets) could get you in trouble, but charging for incurred expenses is ok.

But since I am not there and am under no jurisdiction ....MEH.As far as the original poster, I would in no way use that service animal/wheelchair/eyeglasses/cross eye/stutter/loss of hair/peg leg or eyepatch as a reason for approving or denying an applicant.

I feel its splitting hairs and I can spend my time on far more productive things. 

It literally had 2 inches of hair and feces in every room, appliances gone, copper gone, grab bars, mirrors, door handles, and anything else you can take.... gone.  

as an alternative to taking out my slight hair-pulling impatience on my colleagues via judicious application of a baseball bat. 

Mike Personally I think you are splitting hairs when deciding between the Cleveland and Akron markets. 

@Tyler Daly I’ve been doing this since 2008 and can affirm that there are still deals to be found in RI.

If any of the three are missing, you need a manager to realize the property’s potential.It’s not unlike any other DIY endeavor:  You can save a bundle doing your own nails, coloring your own hair, mowing your lawn, changing your car oil, and ironing all of your apparel.Most of our clients would rather watch paint dry than manage a rental.