If there is an opportunity in front of you to make a great return that out weights the risk of having a loan then go for it.

Most accountants can help you on the accounting side, but an accountant that has some experience real estate investors is worth her weight in gold.

I just did this and turned some very dark (mismatched) grout into a lighter grout. 

like any investment you weight cost vs repairs to purchase price, people buy fire damaged houses and make money.call the owners research the remediation process then decide 

Adding more lateral weight to the original adhesive is a bad idea if you don't know what the original compound was, since different thinsets and mastics are designed for different shear weight. 

The knowledge and understanding you get from the exercise alone is worth its weight in gold IMO.

When I had a vacancy and needed work done, I'd call a pro (they were all moon-lighters) who would walk me through some things as they worked.  

You can use 3M Command products to hang things without making any holes in any walls; of course, there are weight and shape limits to using those, but no extra touch-up required afterward.

Just because the second floor wasn't touched, smoke carries a lot of weight considering the effects.

Lighter colors that compliment each other work best.