While you are examining heating, plumbing, electrical, smoke/CO detectors, weatherization, locks/doors/windows/screens, appliance function, etc, keep an eye out for lease violations and how well they take care of the unit.

) $0.00 $0 General Vacancy Loss 10.0% $9,240 Expenses Monthly Annual Fixed Electricity $0.00 $0 Water $66.67 $800 Sewer $0.00 $0 Garbage $15.50 $186 HOA $0.00 $0 Insurance $415.00 $4,980 Taxes $448.83 $5,386 Other $20.78 $249 Variable Repairs and Maintenance 3.0% $2,772 Property Management Fees 20.0% $18,480 Other Capital Expenditures (Reserves % Gross Income) 3.0% $2,772 Market Assumptions Market Rent Growth (per annum) 2.0% Expense Inflation 2.0%

He checks the main items--roof, foundation, hvac, plumbing, electrical, structural...but doesn't do a deep dive into the cosmetic issues or small items.

My thought behind doing this would be twofold:1) I can deduct my home improvement expenses (cleaning, painting, remodeling).2) I can deduct the business loss from my personal incomeCan I do this?

I was told by the inspector that I should clean out the vent periodically because the lint can't travel all the way to the roof and will fall back down and collect inside the vent.

My brother owns a small electrical company and he can get a wholesale rate on a solar system installed for the house, will that add significant value?

My question is this: If I redo the drywall, change electrical and plumbing pipes, am I running into difficulty to sell the house after it was completed? 

I have never gotten complaints from previous tenants about the dishwasher not cleaning the dishes.  

Any advice is greatly appreciated.David,Here's what I do for my multi-family buyers:Yes it is hard to estimate for maintenance because of a lot of variablesBut I know its expense is less for more units, for things like 16+ unit buildings, onsite maintenance room for storage materials, onsite employees use less hours to do work ordersSome entities even volunteer their residents to pick up grounds, hence minimizing your maintenance costsIf hdsupply.com accepts your account they specialize in multi-family buildings and you don't have to use man power for delivery or pickups And yes, you can do analysis paralysis but it might help you the bank's formula DCRThe 1031 buyers look at expenses differently Yes there's a number per door, e.g. if the units have been neglected you will spend at least one month's rent in turn ready unit expense    An organized well lubricated team should turn ready units in 2-3 daysPay close attention to the human factor, i.e. low self-esteem employees who will take longer to turn ready units or do work orders with poorly workmanship, theft, etc In capital expenses, concentrate in a few and more expensive to start with, AC, plumbing, electrical

I think this is a positive move for the city and will help clean up some of the areas and subsequently increase values.