In other words need to know if the return is so good that it accounts for the excessive risk.  

A bright red grape juice stain on white or beige carpet is damage beyond normal wear and tear.As far as the garbage and the dumpster, if there is trash removal included in your rent, it probably doesn't include furniture or excessive amounts of large pieces of garbage. 

When a tenant moves out, transfer the deposit back to Checking so it's ready to apply towards expenses or refund the Tenant.If you end up with excess funds in the Checking account, I recommend you transfer it to a third account designated explicitly for future investments.

However, I believe smart, hard working RE investors can still obtain returns in excess of most other investment opportunities.

Quote from @Leonard Rybak: Quote from @Greg Scott:Please share an investment that offers 20% plus returns Almost every real estate investment I have made has had returns in excess of 20%, both single family and multifamily.  

The home is from 1960s and never had a moisture barrier so that’s where the damage is coming from. 

2) I’ve allowed pets for 20+ years and have yet to have pet damage in excess of the security deposit. 3) once you’re vacant an extra month you could have replaced the carpet with the lost rent. 4) what’s the plan when you wait all this time and then your tenant brings in their ESA dog?

I was thinking the same thing - seems like the moisture is coming from the cooking itself and not exactly the fuel source.

My suspicion is there is ample moisture and you need to improve air circulation or determine the cause of it.

If someone is working with a lower balance of funds like I am, than I'm more likely to prefer cashflow so that I can continue to afford the property as well as my life style.If I had some disposable income that was in excess of what I need to live on, than I'm more inclined to look forward towards appreciation because I would have enough wealth to take the hit now for the bigger payment in the future.