According to him the deck only needed some band-o/caulking, and patching up any holes in wood, plus paint.

Andrew Kilbin with Lending Deck is THE MAN!!

., make sure they understand it is illiquid and have read over a sample deck and PPM.

Our list is as follows:Electric - $5,000Plumbing - $5,000Drywall - $3,000Roof - $3,000Flooring - $4,000Paint - $1,000Stain for wrap around deck - $200Trim - $2,000Bathroom floors - $300Counter tops upstairs - $1000Light Fixtures - $600Electric Heater Units - $250Electrical Hardware - $200Shower - $400Plumbing Fixtures - $200Downstairs oven - $500Sinks/Vanities Bathroom - $600Dumpster - $400Medicine Cabinets - $200Unplanned Labor - $5,000This totals $32,850.

that would be about same thing as a deck railing requirement.They have a rule that "I think" says railing spindles cant be more than 4'" , So a 4" ball wont go thru.

I knew some roof decking was bad, turned out about 40% was!

The home is 1830 sq ft, brick, paved drive, carport, deck, 3 bdrms, 2 baths, roof & windows only 5 yrs old. 

Structurally, it was sound, smelled like the animals were never let outside, small galley-style kitchen, very worn wood deck.  

if you will not be i would do as @Ricardo Meza said and carefully remove the grout, but be careful trying to break the tile out with just a chisel, any pressure against surrounding tiles will chip them. what i would do, is take a grinder with a diamond blade and carefully make some cuts, cutting out the towel bar holder and a couple cuts in that tile ( being careful not to hit other tiles), this will make release cuts so that the tile will remove easier with the chisel. the towel bar holder is cemented into the wall, when you get it out there will be a hole in the wall there.

Someone who has been around for a while and has a good reputation.3 If you aren't using a management company who do you get to handle snow removal from the decks and walkways?