Coming from a property manager, I'm always really distraught when I hear these stories, and sadly they happen far too frequently.   

Hi Chip and Jacob, I frequently handle quiet title actions on tax deed properties in Arkansas.

Not much discretionary income to eat out on a frequent basis.

If you've got any experience that you think might be helpful to share with our audience, I'd suggest creating a "real estate success stories" post [https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/223-biggerpockets-success-stories].Feel free to reach out to me if you have any trouble using BiggerPockets, or need any help determining how best to connect with folks!

While we really strive to be disciplined and live a minimalistic lifestyle (drive used cars/no cable/don't eat out frequently etc); our pickle is that if we are going to have to pay in the $1300-$1500 range anyways...is there much difference (of course we don't need high luxury at this point either) And yes I'm sure we could find something tiny, dirt cheap w green countertops and pink bathrooms; as my wife is a stay at home mom, I just don't want her to have to hate the place where she spends a majority of her time w our children. 

I have seen these going for 5-10k above list frequently.

This damage is more prevalent in a SFH situation like yours because you probably have an outdoor area that the dogs will frequent and bring inside.

I am frequently reminded of this in the wholesale property notifications I receive.

Hey Nelly,I think the response rate is very subjective to both the content of the marketing and the audience. 

I'm thankful that @Ben Leybovich has other advisors that he calls...thus my phone rings less frequently because he has other people to call to rant about how screwed up the real estate market is and how there aren't any deals out there.