It's not in a bad spot... close to a grocery store in the back of a suburb a little ways away from a clean river, fairly scenic area. 

These blinds hold up better, are easier to repair and clean, and I think look nicer than mini blinds.

We cleaned up the property while living there and made some improvements What was the outcome?

Majority of the properties on there are way more than what they are regularly selling for. 

You the landlord is only responsible for providing a safe and comfortable living environment, clean water and heat to your tenant.  

I wonder why someone would choose a regular refinance over HELOs. 

With that said, if you use a low money down regular FHA or FHA 203k loan in order to purchase it will not take you long to get the money back that you put down once the property is performing for you.

They have the cleaning, finding tenant hassle, repairs, painting etc. does the $300 really matter?

Clean, prime, paint two coats.  

Any agent who does not regularly attend inspections with their buyers is not doing their job, plain & simple.