All of my worst tenants were either inherited like yours or ones that I accepted at this time of year between thanksgiving and Christmas.

I have contact with my tenants on average twice a year, once to send them a Christmas Thank You gift for being a good tenant and I allow them 1 complaint a year!

Merry Christmas to him.

You need to understand the local market.Last Christmas I was talking to a relative.

To my amateur eyes,the property appears to be in very good shape except for some cosmetics, the electricity and water are turned on and worked.The bank is only allowing a 7 day inspection period, and as luck would have it I'm going out of town (driving trip) for the Christmas holidays.

Find someone who does what you are doing or want to do, stalk them and introduce yourself...4th Mondays, holidays moved back one week1/272/243/244/285/19 (due to memorial day)6/237/288/259/2210/2711/17 (due to thanksgiving)12/15 (due to christmas)

Now his status is "trophy husband".  

Hi Zack:While I live in Fort Lauderdale, FL I have a great friend who is a real estate broker / investor in Denver.Her name is Laurie King -- http://www.denverhomesforsale.com/broker/I met Laurie at her sister's Christmas party here in Fort Lauderdale a few years ago. 

Lastly, regarding an influx of foreign buyers, New York and London also enjoy the same sort of trophy buyer that is looking for a safe haven for their money.

I'm a little meaner when it comes to cracking the whip so I have high hopes of a habitable space by Christmas.