They also set up a full size refrigerator right on the back patio.

I've done it on stuff I own and it's freakin' expensive - new kitchens, new bathrooms, new windows, siding, flooring, mechanicals, roofs, plumbing, electrical, decks/patios, fencing ... add it all up with an expected useful life and it easily comes out to $200-300/door/m on small multis.  

In another, where I already have replaced old kitchen appliances with new stainless-steel ones, I might replace the old sliding patio door with a nice french door with blinds in the glass -- as the beginning of an eventual kitchen remodeling -- and maybe replace old bathroom lights, faucets and towel racks.

Hi @Keeya WangJones, well this is my little story 2004( I was to young had just gotten my real estate license but what I remember, I did 2 sales only that year, but rates did go up a little and that's why my 3rd property did go threw ) 2008( I was young Associate at the Investment firm of my dreams, so my job was to analyze trades, purchase of large multifamily complexes, what I notice that the uncertainty of the election does drive into doing out of comfort moves, but 2008 election was during a time of crisis in the real estate world, but what I gather of the residential market that year was if you had money you bought property because it will go up couldn't go any higher and election did affect at some point the election ) 2012( I was more establish in the firm and was head investment analyst learned a lot since last election, and this was a different, that drove inventory low, nobody was selling investor were waiting with check and pen for another dip in the recovery economy but didn't happen just affected the options out there and the desire of people to sell common ordinary home buyer ) 2016( What my firm and I been noticing this election is a chain reaction, large hedge fund corporations are not making the move to invest there own capital, midsize and family offices are buying up safe investments and rentals with lease signed tenants, why uncertainty, and the average dude is buying like crazy, what he can get his hands one to make quick cash, will this drive or economy to a collapse again, some say yes some say no, you be the judge, but what everybody agrees that there is more money out there now so more money to loose, if I was you If there is a property that you love buy it park that money, somewhere cause whatever happens in election your money is safer in a home then in the bank, plus your home creates equity, just buy in a good area here in San Diego, we have the coastal California economy where you buy it ill go up in price, so just go out there and find the right home, I know its hard cause options are so few in the area now.  

You also may be transferring income that is passive rental income to active ordinary income that may be subject to self-employment tax.

It is also good for landlords to be flexible when faced with out of the ordinary circumstances and letting a person terminate a lease early without penalty is certainly an option.

If we had an active business (i.e. property management) in the foreign country then that money we understand would not have to be repatriated, but if you did taxes would have to be paid at your ordinary income level, but you would be able to take advantage of the foreign income exclusion on that money.

I came home on my lunch to find everything I own in suitcases and I believe they did not have the ability to take this stuff out via the patio is bc my neighbor's would see them. 

This means that, yes, they can work something out with the neighbor (family or not) to come in and out of the home in order to handle any ordinary business that may need to be done.

The driveway and sidwwalk as well as patio were re-done at the request of the tenants, whose daughter ironically was the one complaining about how she would fall in the winter time due to the un-level side walk.