I have talked to many people "considering" a 1st investment over the last several years, but then spend their spare income on a new car or furniture instead and give up the dream.

Give me your opinions on renting furniture vs buying vs not staging at all.

Determine the price for the 50% share then define the terms, conditions, splits, equitable usage plan, renting rules, furniture plan, capital contribution terms, and exit plan in the operating agreement.

I've had tenants request new carpet or paint for their units, and basically told them if they are willing to move all of their furniture out of the building to do the work, then I'd consider it. 

I really like the idea of owning this property because it is in a nice location, I can collaborate with my Dad's beach house in case any renter needed additional rooms or wants to rent out 2 houses next to each other (my Dad said he would rent his place out too) , decent sized lawn on the property, and the house needs to be fixed up on the interior (wood paneling/new dry wall, old carpets, out dated furniture, and older appliances).

I started doing that after a couple showings where people said the bedrooms were too small for their furniture.

Some of what was found:- glass in front of both crawl spaces (seemingly intentional)- all of the meters were spray painted over- some rooms were inaccessible due to the amount of trash/furniture in the way- registered sex offender on the propertyThankfully, we walked away.

This will require them to sell about half of their furniture.  

The apt was empty except two grocery bags of belongings, a mattress on the floor, and broken furniture on curb.

If tenants do that, can the landlord ask for expenses to clean up anything left behind (or from anything similar for example spray-painting something or building furniture)?