Like deferred maintenance, (bad roof, worn out water heater/AC Unit, warped flooring, water damage) etc, unpaid utilities,  unpaid taxes, a second loan, unpaid HOA fees, a bad pool, bad reputation, sometimes squatters, sometimes they were drug houses, and so on.

You want to make sure you aren't muddying the water and making the tenant think they have longer to get out.

Purchase price: $275,000 Cash invested: $45,000 Sale price: $410,000 Contributors: Adam Schooley This townhouse, which had gone through probate, suffered from significant water damage to the drywall and required updates throughout.

Sounds like you stopped water which is most important.

Purchase price: $275,000 Cash invested: $45,000 Sale price: $400,000 Contributors: Adam Schooley This townhouse, which had gone through probate, suffered from significant water damage to the drywall and required updates throughout.

That's easy compared to trying to fight and erroneous $13k water bill (a real issue we had) or an insurance policy tripling (that too).

City water 200 yards away

Purchase price: $275,000 Cash invested: $45,000 Sale price: $400,000 Contributors: Adam Schooley This townhouse, which had gone through probate, suffered from significant water damage to the drywall and required updates throughout.

Purchase price: $275,000 Cash invested: $45,000 Sale price: $410,000 Contributors: Adam Schooley This townhouse, which had gone through probate, suffered from significant water damage to the drywall and required updates throughout.

water heater?