Coming from a construction backround, I was somehow molded into buying cheaper and remodeling but I am trying to get into the more smaller upgrades on properties to being up value instead of dumping 50-60k to renovate. 

For the sake of my mom's sanity and to save her from losing the property (and in knowing I would eventually have stake in this property), I've invested a hefty amount of cash upgrading the property this past year.

"Even a broken clock is right twice a day."

If you have the broken off piece, this is repairable. 

It's like the owners just took off and the 'loss prevention team" just put some cheap plywood over the broken windows, turned off the plumbing and put on some locks.  

I let one tenant upgrade their faucet, cabinet knobs, electrical outlets and switches and when it came time to finally move out they wanted more for the the replaced items then it cost in the store. 

They breached the contract in the first place.The worst thing is that both houses are broken without any renovation which is supposed to be completed in first two months after closing of my purchase according to the contract.

It appears a pipe on the ceiling for the heating system has frozen and broken.  

Yeah, I'm probably not qualified to answer this.I don't believe these upgrades would offer enough bang for the buck to a flipper. 

If it's broken, send ASAP.