Its work for Apple or nothing? 

As I'm sure you know, it would be hard to compare apples to apples with units in this market and someone with lower standards and/or section 8 is definitely going to have an easier time finding tenants.

Also, this would be a great time to turn your business card into a frig magnet and pass that out as well.First impressions are critical - along with a nice letter.

Residential HELOC's tend to calculate interest per month X average daily balance (average of all days per month) so this reduces the impact for financiall disciplined folks who routinely spend less than income taken in each month.7) Wouldnt paying extra with a regular conventional 30 year fixed (Constant payment mortgage - CPM) be the same or better, apples to apples?

It only takes a few bad apples to hurt everyone.

I've asked my agent to run a CMA for me on some properties, but it seems impossible to know if it's apples-to-apples, given that I don't know if those are pre- or post-rehab. 

I have a note to leave him in the morning, letting him know how awesome he was, and a Apple Bee's gift certificate.

- I see some other agriculture in the area (Pistachios, apples, vineyards).

Apples to oranges. 

Landlord, there seems to be some exposed wiring"  This example is tantamount to comparing apples to elephants.....not relevant.Compare my example of a threshold between carpet and hardwood flooring, now that is a more appropriate comparison to the OPs situation.