The property was built in 1750 and stone walls in the basement need reappointing (they're falling down), rotted wood beams need support, rotting floors, damage ceilings, majority of the outlets are ungrounded, etc.

This is the most cut and dry eviction there is in NJ.

It has been bone dry in SJ since spring?

It is imo the last place someone should begin their real estate investing career.As an example on one of the Chicago threads, another poster talked about having the following things happen to him:1) HE had dry wallers who were held up at gunpoint.2) had sod stolen...after it had been laid. 

Once the poly is put on, it needs to be buffed which means it needs to dry...which means thats needs to be left for another day.........After he started to fix the corrections, he made it very clear he expected payment at this point, so I paid him the full amount of the project NOT realizing that I already gave him the 50% down payment which I told him about within a few days of noticing my mistake.A MONTH LATER!!!

Having a home with a covered/dry area where they can store a boat can have value.  

LolAnd it is my assessment that things are doing downhill from here, so I am keeping my powder dry....Those of you believe there is more up form here, happy buying ...

I plan to repaint the house, add some basic landscaping in the front, sand and stain my cutting board countertops and replace the rotted wood on my fascia and soffit outside.

This deal is about as exciting as watching paint dry.

I just found out by listing agent house has been vandalized and there are many punch holes in dry wall, cabinets have been taken out, electrical wiring has been pulled out and they even tried opening ceiling (not sure how that looks).