I went to one of those 3 day events by one of the big gurus (my broker bought tickets but couldn't go, I went to network with other investors) last weekend.

I ended up buying him a bus ticket home with my credit card and he paid me in cash.

Sage - If your still following this topic....I recently came across an RE lawyer out of Boston while selling some baseball tickets online.

They save the deposit for big ticket items like appliancesThe first place I ever rented, for move out all they cared were that the appliances were spotless and damage free.Flooring is the one thing I’ve seen and heard that isn’t very consistent across the board.Like nate said though, you get the repairs done and send them the bill.

But even at $200-225/mo in ferry auto pass (or $60-70/mo for walk on passenger tickets) - $200-$300/ mo is what people are paying for parking and/or gas to commute to work in Seattle.

I wouldn't blame the Xbox though but feel sorry for her kids for having to go through this.Here is what I would do - sell the big ticket items like furniture and artwork through the easiest channel and hand over the storage locker to her.

Most of them do, however I have had a situation when one house was ticketed  by city for tall grass.  

Does it make sense to maybe pay someone with experience a consultation fee to go with us when we look at these houses and point out big ticket items or ("big rocks" as I call them) that could be a deal breaker or have a big affect on what we would actually offer on the house knowing an expensive repair is imminent?

I am sure you did this, but did you fill out the support ticket form?  

I agree with this- I wil add that sometimes what is important is external from the deal. ie, "I need enough money to get a storage unit and a plane ticket to fly out to my grandchildren".