In an effort to clean up the forums, we're creating an FAQ Forum, where the most-asked questions will be prominently featured, along with some really great answers.I need your help!

I think if the city were to repave the streets, fix all these jacked-up sidewalks, plant some trees, and do some general cleanups, the area would look a lot more inviting.

If I know I am going to have some expenses as far as clean up when this guy moves out I usually bake that into the offer or at least account for it in my profitability analysis.What do rents look like for other similar properties in the area?

You can search this registry to see if DEA did a "cleanup" of the property:http://www.justice.gov/dea/clan-lab/clan-lab.shtmlI've seen 20/20 or 60 Minutes episodes that showed the residual levels of hazardous chemicals present in structures used as meth labs.

However with more and more people losing their jobs and looking for a cheaper place to stay, I think that I could clean up

Also thanks to J Scott's estimator worksheet Estimated ARV: We went conservative - $75kCurrently listed (as of 10/17) for $87.5kRehab Details:Remove old carport and porchRebuild and reface deckreplace both BathsNew flooring throughoutFix siding, paint exteriorDrywall work, paint and baseboards throughoutHeavy landscape cleanup, gravel, etcAppliances, cooling/heating and inside electrical were all good to goKitchen could have used an update but was in good shape and at this price point was just right for the area.So this is less of a diary than it is a summary but we still have to sell!

They say yes.My now former tenants give me the keys but I pull the locks out of the door and drill it shut from the inside for now.Now I get to clean up their mess.

I just spent all weekend with a rented tracked skidsteer loader with a monster bushhog cutting this bamboo down and grinding it up . it was more than my kubota's bushhog could handle , I still have at least another day with a york rake to clean up and pile the stuff up .At least I can pile it in the back of the lot , it would fill about six 40 yd cans .The fun part was this skidsteer and bushhog ripped thru the bamboo and it would grind up 4 inch saplings , I knocked over a couple trees roots and all came up .

That way when they move in and the first weekend they have to break a window to get back in the Townhome because they left their key inside...or on Sunday night the toilet overflowed and they are screaming on your phone that you need to get out there, right now or they are not paying you the Rent...or there is a cockroach infestation with possums in the attic because your Tenant is a filthy Pig and wants to make you clean up the mess.

We try our best to  clean up the rental as best as we can so it is more desirable for higher quality tenants.