For context, most of my properties are in Dallas (Uptown/Oak lawn).  

I would include clear language in the lease that states their responsibility for the lawn & snow.

Don’t forget, some properties need lawn care, or snow removal, or insurance is more than double, or the house is brand new, or it’s 120 years old.

Here are the details: - 4 bedroom, 2 bath about 1700 sqft, built in 1883- Neighborhood: C I think, close-in 45503 if your familiar with the area- Duplex upper unit and a lower unit, each 2br 1ba - Current rent 300 upper and 400 lower (which is up from 200 and 250 in 2014), neighboring duplex gets 600 for a 3 bedroom but it's nicer- Expenses (prop management, lawn, bills, taxes... ) in 2016 so far $2200 and in 2015 $3200- Profit from 2015 was about $500 (had the upper vacant for most of the year), profit this year should be about $1,600- Appraiser $50,000 Zillow $58,000 Trulia $37,000 Estate $16,000- Bought in the 80's for $15,000Thoughts?

Mow lawn and do some basic front lawn landscaping2.  

He doesn't know the current tenants, hasn't mowed a lawn or done anything at all.He is also refusing to sign a contract with a listing agent to sell.

You can google to get some more info, but basically it's a thicker and more premium vinyl that comes in both "wood-look" or more artificial types.

The neighbrhood is a historically Italian community of SFH, and without being overly stereotypical, the lawns are all mowed, there are gardens and window boxes and American flags on every little house - pride of ownership.

They typically cut the grass and maintain the lawn so the property does not acquire additional liens.

The $510 decamps to $208 for the HELOC payment, $75 for lawn care/snow removal per month, and $227 monthly in owner paid utilities -quoted by the utility company- I plan to manage the property, but budgeted for management expense anyway- Furnace and roof were recently replaced- Loan terms are 3.75 with 3.125 points (included in the $7k closing costs above per the bank) - 30 year mortgage- My goal is to buy and hold with an eye on retirement, but of course I'd like to cash flow now.