No pictures on the listing but it was right next to the local hospital and I could see prospective renters being young professionals/other good renters.Called the listing agent and set up a viewing for 4 PM and agent sounded very happy that someone was interested in the propertyWhen I went to go see the place it was a complete gut job. the roof was in good shape and the foundation look like brand new block foundation but the rest of the place was completely destroyed.

The owner is not a professional landlord and the property is mismanaged and getting destroyed by the tenant...

So what your basically saying the small guy once again being destroyed by big corporations.  

Now when we look at the surface items (flooring, kitchens, paint, lawn care, etc that is pretty easy to replace but that tenants habitually destroy) vs the items that really matter and can suck up a lot of funds (electrical, bathroom, landscaping, etc.).  

But my lack of long term market understanding lead to over extension on my personal buy-and-hold properties. 2008 destroyed me as 95% of my tenants decided they no longer needed to pay... and some even decided that they were entitled to my mechanical systems and metal materials like plumbing and wiring... one even burned down a multi-family building.

Or I can Buy a Stock or ETF that gives me Dividends and hope that this next downturn is not going to destroy the value of the Stock.

If the answer to 2 above is to replace the sink is there a way to do so without destroying the counter top?

If they continue down their current path they will end up homeless and their credit will be destroyed for years.

On the flip side are war zones with homes for 20k that probably need to be completely rehabbed but then filled with tenants that might destroy the place or kill me when I go to collect rent (exaggerated, maybe).

On the flip side are war zones with homes for 20k that probably need to be completely rehabbed but then filled with tenants that might destroy the place or kill me when I go to collect rent (exaggerated, maybe).