As long as the numbers aren't horrible, there is hidden value in just taking action and getting this under your belt.

That's always the best way to get the most money for a property.That suggests that either there's something major wrong - as others have said, not pulling permits, hidden major defects, title issues, etc.The other possibility is he financed with hard money and has a balloon payment bearing down on him.Before walking away, I'd have a conversation with the agent/daughter. 

I had this hidden force looming over my head because I knew that if I stopped hustling it would only be a few months until everything could come crashing down. 

Clear work instructions are key for any type of admin work. 

See part O in the current General Instructions for Certain Information Returns, available at www.irs.gov/form1099, for more information about penalties.Please note that Copy B and other copies of this form, which appear in black, may be downloaded and printed and used to satisfy the requirement to provide the information to the recipient.

I decided to leave the corporate world and discover my hidden talent.

Unless they have predetermined explicit instructions, they will call you, even if it’s ‘grey’.

In this case, the PM is just there to collect checks and milk the cash cow as instructed by the slumlord.

What things do you think could be hidden that I should look at?

So they have violated the lease terms and I have the right to keep the deposit.I assume when we see the house the animal evidence will either be hidden or apparent.