An ignorant person lacks knowledge or awareness.

Still lots of work to do on the house and the “book” I still have to figure out what to do for it (paper/digital/both), and a few more things I probably am not yet aware of … reading on this forum and asking questions sure has helped out a lot.

But I'm gathering that this may be a fools errand if the house is not appreciating.

Insurance liability, I personally know 2 families that lost their children in home pools.

This is where most people start getting nervous. And, honestly, it's for good reason. Having good residents can make owning a rental house a breeze, but bad ones can make it a nightmare. Fortunately, there are practic...

Is it a room in your house? 

Personally, I do not like any strategy or approach that aims to benefit from the misfortune of others.

Then based on @Michael Baum's suggestion, I think I will have my cleaner and/or maintenance person do monthly/quarterly maintenance like using using enzyme based cleaners, grease fighting drain treatments and hot water flushing. 

Appreciation is only a THEORY until a person SELLS, be it gain or loss. 

If it does go to probate, hopefully your brothers and you can amicably go the informal route vs formal (I've worked with families in both when buying properties out of probate and informal is FAR easier).Since there's no debt on the house, maybe you could sell with financing or maybe you could even buy out your brothers with financing -- that way you maintain ownership and just pay them a monthly amount.