The key to everything is your CC&R's (Conditions, Convenants & Restrictions). 

Take pictures of the condition of the rental; typically 50 to 100 pictures to later download on my home computer as evidence for justifying not returning the security deposit/suing the tenant.2.

The actual condition of an in-ground pool is more of a factor to me when looking at a flip than whether it has one or not.

Most of the time, they are in a condition where you should be able to finance them, assuming you use Fannie Mae as the lender. 

Would you ask the owner to pull the permits for what he did in the past as a condition of the sales contract?

Hey @Sheree Fullwood- yeah, CapEx can be a little tough to know, because it depends on the age of the property, how well it was maintained, the condition,etc. on a single family house, I typically want to see between $100 and $200 per month - maybe more or less depending on how nice it'll be when I rent it.

How hard was it to get a conditional use permit and was there an extra cost?

SILICON VALLEYSilicon Valley house price appreciation has been fantastic as the leading index, local economic conditions, and employment growth has remained high and increasing.

Its been vacant for 12 years  in that condition.

Gas prices are at record lows so you really do not need to switch if everything is in working condition.