Hi @Tim Phillips I didn't find any Ohio limits on application fees here:http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/overview-la...I assume you are using an application first to screen potential applicants as you could have a statement on the application that there is a $35 nonrefundable fee even though you wouldn't be collecting that with the application.  

Even though you are not covering the contents inside the home, the insurance company takes into account that you are not living there and a tenant will not care for a home the way you personally would.

Input is 2 floors house, the first floor has cement floor, the second is covered with plywood.

Hello @Joshua Reed,I think @Ceasar Rosas pretty much covered it in that post.

If so, then get the current owner to get lien waivers from every contractorIf not, I would have a lawyer writeup in the agreement or have $ held in escrow post closing to cover any potential liens (depending on state they have 90 days +/- to file a lien)2.

It will cover all sorts of aspects on lending from conventional lending Hardmoney private money and when it's good to use one or the other.Send me a PM if you would like more information.William Lees Jr

They'll also want to know if you can handle the carrying costs like interest, electric, water, sewer, garbage, house insurance covering construction, etc, etc, while you're doing the renovation.

If the pets are prohibited then they've violated terms of the lease so either the pets go....or they all go.That smell will only get worse the longer the "pet cemetary" is there..............5 years from now that extra $150 a month or $9,000 wont even cover the gut job that will be needed to make the place liveable for the next tenant that is not a cat lover. 

Both are covered in IRS publication 598.

I'd like to self-manage the first rental as a learning experience but would eventually plan to transition to a management company, so the numbers have to make sense to cover this expense.