This has helped curb issues over the years.

Had a case where the town put in new sidewalks and curbs which the property owner was to pay for.

Sweat out improvements to curb appeal and make friends with the neighbors.

I had the exterior painted to freshen up the curb appeal, updated the interior paint, closed one wall to make the office a full bedroom and updated the master bath.

Just remember that curb appeal is important.Always do the math analysis and try to look at the prospective property before you make an offer or at least have a clause in the sales contract that will allow you some time (usually about 15 days) to make an inspection of the subject property and possibly back out of the deal that is not painful to you, if any amount.  

Rather than utilizing comparable versus cost of renovations and overall curb appeal.As an example I had a customer put $40K into a home new kitchen, finished basement and floors.

You are looking at about 6 weeks from the 3 day notice to tenant's belongings on the curb.

Some old installs wire right to the front of the home with the meter out front--maybe a status symbol in the horse and buggy days (Look Mable, old Earnest has that newfangled electricity), but not the most curb attractive look in modern times.Good Luck!

Beautiful curb appeal.

Someone else enters the home, packs up his stuff, puts it on the curb, puts his own stuff in, and then becomes the new squatter.