Keep a supply of cash available for capital expenditures and safety net purposes.Also make sure you don't overpay on deals just to do a deal.  

Put up artwork of, men playing sports, muscle cars, wild game, those sorts of things.The contractors generally have a mobile trailer at the job site where QC, GF, Safety and other higher paid workers stay. 

Just tell them no and explain the safety issues, there is absolutely no reason for you to consider their request.It is strange how novice landlords seem to think that because a tenant asks for something they should try to comply.

My wife and I are wanting to approach getting in REI with both safety and aggressiveness.

I listen to podcasts and read through the forums but Im still trying to get a handle on prioritizing my creative financing endeavors...as Im sure most people are.  

@Terri HillFor your health and safety, lead paint removal should be handled by a lead paint abatement service.

If you can, get grandmother a personal safety alert device (pull cord or panic button) so she can easily call for help if no one is around.

I'm all for standards and safety, but often times the city is in dire need of money so they find every way they can to milk you.A side note, my appraisal was a "drive by" and not a full-on $500 home appraisal so they didn't actually go inside and measure the sqft, but i'm still quite confident that they will not use the added bedrooms because they were not permitted.  

Each one was 30 percent down and has chewed into my safety net for now.

Do not count on this person to "keep his dogs in the house" for up to a year - that is not realistic and now that you are aware there are safety issues with the dogs you are opening yourself up for lawsuits.