Sellers will make their properties look very good in an attempt to pull one over on a potential buyer.Remember to include PITI, snow removal, landscaping, property management along with estimated annual maintenance costs (will be more for older buildings that are well kept).

Removal and infill of garage door, new siding ($1,000)7.

Am I required to have the house tested and lead removed prior to renting? 

Unfortunately the VA appraisal process is a bureaucracy so might have a hard time having him removed, but you can "remove" him from your transactions.Given that there is a VA appraisal, which is attached to the property, taking another VA or FHA offer will not help you.

If the fence is your proceed, it you removed it and wanted it gone it's yours if you do new it's yours, but I'f  make sure you put up some plastic temporary fencing if they have a dog, so their pit bull doesn't come over and greet you.. 

I just paid for the removal of the tree from the car.  

Being that this is family how do I handle the management aspect of it..do I remove myself from the payment collection process and let a management company handle it, or do I manage it like I manage all my other properties all by myself.

I am wondering in this case can you remove the lock? 

@Patrick M.Start with http://www6.homedepot.com/tool-truck-rental/Compact_Floor_Stripper/NS2010/index.html to remove parquet.

But with property taxes north of 2% and landlords paying heat, hot water, snow removal, and maintenance costs on older buildings, few of these deals are profitable.