@Shayne HastingsI think @Brian Burke as always has nailed it right to the point. 

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@Josh Norell You hit the nail on the head with doing your own due diligence, this is true with any property you purchase wholesaler or not, because at the end of the day you are taking the risk not the wholesaler or agent in the deal.

@David Semer: You hit the nail on the head with "these days you want to make sure to follow the letter of the law".

I get on there once a year, push down any raised nail heads and use "roof patch" in a caulk gun around anything that looks iffy or deteriorating. 

For loose sections that need to be secured, I used their process (plaster washers, etc.) but used liquid nails instead.

@Martinis Jackson@Lance Lvovsky nailed it. 

I would say @Ned J. nailed it though.I've always worked directly w/my tenants.  

You could maybe work that way for a few specific project costs, like the painting and flooring, but things like plumbing, electrical and drywall will really depend on the level of work needed (think filling in a few nail holes vs repairing several huge chunks of missing drywall where someone tore out copper pipes).

Once they start, they build up their own constituents and beneficiaries (and employees) who will fight tooth and nail for continuance, and there has never been a politician with the strength of character to say "No".And who can really blame the politicians?