Construction is  a process that involves many fields or trades, such as legal, engineering, architecture, design, and yes, actual contractors (framing, insulating, drywall, electrical, siding, windows, trim carpentry, roofers, etc) that perform the "work". 

So, now I've gone from a cashflowing property to a property that's costing me a mortgage payment every month and needs over $50k of work (the only way to fix the problem was to demo all of the flood damaged drywall, cabinetry, and  trim, jackhammer through the slab, excavate and remove over 5 truckloads of concrete and clay (by hand), install and plumb an industrial level sump and irrigation system, backfill it with rock (by hand), re-pour the slab, and re-finish everything.How is this relevant to your question?

I made transitions to interface with the old 10inch pine plank wood flooring & made cedar trim around the stair edges.

I don't have radiators or air conditioning...IndoorSmoke detector batteriesHVAC filtersFireplace sweep-outCheck toilet seat / seal tightnessDust / clean fridge coilsLint from dryer exhaust ventFlush water heaterCheck the fire extinguisher (expiration date)Check and redo grout / calking in showers / bathrooms.Quick flush shower heads and check faucet filters for hard water buildupTighten up loose nobs and handlesOutdoor / UnderClean guttersSiding & roofing eyeballCheck sump pumpLint from dryer exhaust ventTest garage door auto-reverse featureCheck window screensFix any earth to wood contact (damn you termites)Check trees for power line interference (PG&E will actually fix it for free if you call them)Annual trim up / sprinkler inspection & repairs.

It's an extraordinary brick building with woodwork, trim, and leaded glass windows that would cost a fortune to replicate today.Original deal was a contract for deed where I would trade two properties I purchased last year for $10,000 down plus closing costs.

If it ends up looking bad, I'll have wasted time, money, and need to replace them anyhow...Some points:- All other trim in the house is in great shape and will remain unpainted.- 3 bed, 2 bath (adding the 2nd with the rehab), 1,940 sq. ft main- 80k purchase, 21K renovation and holding costs.

What if she trims the shrubs back a little?

Now you stand in a brand new kitchen and the old window and trim sticks out like a sore thumb!

The bath has a nice "retro" look with a blue-and-white tile floor, white 4 x 4 standard wall tiles and light blue bullnose trim along the top.

There are many other simple steps that you could follow like trimming and pruning your plants, giving your mailbox a makeover.