My first tenants after I became an accidental landlord broke a window out, never maintained the yard despite constant reminders, and I never found out what happened to one of the closet doors.

I then take the original contract and the assignment form to the title company myself.I also generally ask and receive any where from $1000 to $1500 in non-refundable earnest money.I know this does not help your situation at hand, but maybe on the next deal it will save you some grief.I am sure someone on BP has some good advice on how to salvage or remedy your deal.But remember: Even when deals go bad we learn from them and keep moving forward.Good Luck!

I have recently came across the idea of using facebook to market. not on a personal facebook but I created a couple "yard sale" accounts which seem to be popular in my area.

I pay less when I hire college students or family members and when I buy sinks and cabinets and other materials at the yard sales and swap meets.

I gave myself a generous two year time frame to complete a remodel - which will allow me to benefit from capital gains exemption when I sell - but my "carrying costs" are non-existent, since they are still less then i was spending on rent previously and no landlord can tell me i can't have a doberman digging up my back yard (free landscaping!).

This is just the last few rows for all improved residential liens.By the way "Residential Yard Improvements" is how some homes are classified in this county instead of Single Family Residential.

You can get a quote from your insurance agent to give you ball part on that but it will be wrapped into your monthly payment as well as your taxes which you can look up in public records.The other expense you will want to consider is shoveling and yard maintenance.

We started framing on March 22nd - it was exciting to see walls going up and actually walk through.My little girl already likes the back yard - hope she's not mad when daddy sells the house before she moves in.....We started roofing yesterday on 4-2-14...trying to beat the weather in.And as of today, they have most of the roof on.Rough HVAC and plumbing starting next - we sure saw a big swing in prices for those guys.

You might consider going to your local lumber yards and find out who is one of the more active builders in your area. 

Two of my neighboring tenants in the 4-plex quarreled, caused by small kids from one family playing and making some messes on the other family's front yard (the complex has open front yard), then verbal exchanges from adults.The family with small kids (7 and 8) just moved in over a month.The other family (late middle aged with 3 teenagers) moved in almost a year, and are very good paying and quiet tenants.