Thus, all current tenants have been there a while (I don't blame them, rent is so cheap). $175,000 is left on them as they were originally bought well above market price.

This thought stayed with me for a while until I started to think that maybe buying a cheap foreclosure at the city foreclosure auction, paying for a rehabilitation and renting out this single family home would be better.

Food is cheap.

@Jahan Habib, Granites Of America in Smithfield has proven to be very good and reliable with a large selection of granite from very cheap up to very expensive.  

My rent is ridiculously cheap about $350 a month.

That was my idea also, I would also add, ask people at your meetup meetings about wholesalers, some buy really cheap and then mark it up just a little to their repeat buyers so they make their profit in volume and quick turnover.

When I google this topic, they assume that the place isn't vacant so suggested cheap ways to stage a home are more about decluttering and moving around existing furniture.

Money is fairly cheap (by historical standards) so get it while you can. 

Up your auto coverage too, personal liability insurance is cheap.  

There happened to be a cheap lot about 2 blocks away that was zoned r-4.