They didn't want to aggravate tenants by requesting back payments.

And to get those 2 units built in Austin can be an endeavor as the city permitting process is historically and aggravatingly slow. 

If you can't do that then put your money into something that pays a few percent because making a few percent more than that is not worth the risk, time, mental stress nor the aggravation.

So my now aggravated maint guy spray painted the entire box including the names with flat black Rustoleum.  

I've saved my clients plenty of aggravation by being there, answering questions before they become problems, and listening to the summary. 

If you "rent" to them, you will just have more drama and aggravation when they abuse your property through damage, hoarding, general neglect, and bringing their drama home to you.

The aggravation with the other tenant may or may not be a red herring.

So I'll say rehabbing is something that is primarily going to be learned through experienceHaving a contractor do a walkthrough is a waste of everyone's time if 1) you don't know what you expect to pay 2) you don't know what needs to be done 3) especially prior to making an offer and being under contractI get having a walkthrough - but you're just going to have a bunch of no-shows and aggravated people if you're just getting them to give you estimates on something you're not even under contract on.

If you do not address all functional, safety, and hazardous issues during turnover, it will cost you more time, effort and usually aggravation to deal with it after a tenant moves in.

Needy tenants are seldom worth the aggravation they cause.