Avoid investing in any income property that does not have all utilities separated and in your tenants name.

The two common choices for doing so are the self-directed IRA and the Solo 401k.The Solo 401k requires self-employment activity, but will allow you to take participant loans while the IRA does not.A few other Solo 401k benefits:Compared to an IRA, Solo 401k contributions limits are roughly ten times higher.There is no custodial requirement for the 401k.You don't need the additional expense and administration of an LLC to have checkbook control.There is a built in-Roth component whereas IRAs are either traditional or Roth, not both.A spouse can also participate in the same Solo 401k plan.The Solo 401k has additional tax benefits over an IRA when investing into real estate using leverage.The penalties for prohibited transactions are less severe, though it's best not to utilize this benefit :)With either structure, it's generally recommended that you do not commingle retirement and non-retirement assets.

Use the "search" feature on BP.Depending on how extensive the odor is, you may need a multilayered approach.When we rehabbed a house that previous owners lived in and smoked in for decades, we found that we had to go much deeper than walls and paint. 

I agree with you on the utilities.

Prepared By     Key Investment Criteria Client Name     Max Offer  $       425,000   Property Address     Down Payment  $                 -    Number of Units 12   Cash Flow (Per 100K) $88.30   List Price  $     425,000 % of List Price   Cash Flow (Monthly)  $         375.29   Offer Price  $     425,000 100%   Total Cash In  $    10,000.00   ARV/Appraised Value  $     450,000   Debt Service CR 1.16 Pref >1.2 Discount (%,$) 0%  $                 -     Debt Yield Ratio 7.65% Pref >10% Purchase Price (Max Offer Price)  $     425,000     Cap Rate 7.47% Pref >8% Percent Down 0%     LTV 1.00 Pref <.75 Down Payment Amount  $               -      Rent/Price Ratio 1.35% Pref 1.25% Amount Financed  $     425,000     COC ROI Year 1 218.0%   Interest Rate 5.20%     (Exp+Int)/Income 84%   Costs of Repairs  $         5,000     Gross Rent Multiplier 6.3 Pref <9 Closing Costs  $         5,000     COC Return 45.0% Pref >10% Total Cost  $     435,000     Break Even Ratio 93% Pref <85% Length of Mortgage (Years) 30     Expense Ratio 53% ~50% Payment Monthly Annual   ARV-Total Cost  $         15,000   Monthly Mortgage Payment $2,333.72  $      28,004.65   % Investment of ARV 96% Pref <75%     10 year Return 65% $284,164 Rental Income Monthly Annual   15 Year Return 113% $490,037 Unit A (10 unit Apt)  $    4,550.00  $      54,600.00   20 Year Return 172% $748,269 Unit B (Duplex)  $    1,250.00  $      15,000.00       Unit C  $               -   $                  -    DSCR greater than 1.45 1.16 Unit D  $               -   $                  -    Standardized Cashflow >180 $88.30 Gross Rental Income  $    5,800.00  $      69,600.00   LTV less than .76 1.00 Vacancy Rate 8%     ROI year 1 greater than 20% 218.0% Net Rental Income  $    5,336.00  $      64,032.00   Expense ratio between 45 and 55% 53%     Positive initial equity  $     15,000 Expenses Monthly  Annual   15 year return greater than 115% 113% Property Management Fees  $           320.16  $       3,841.92 6.0% Total Cash In Less than 50K  $     10,000 Leasing Costs  $                  -    $                  -  0% DYR greater than 9%   7.65% Maintenance Reserve  $           750.00  $       9,000.00         Utilities  $           375.00  $            4,500         PropertyTaxes   $           640.17  $       7,682.00     Insurance  $           325.00  $       3,900.00       Other (Snow, Lawn Care, Trash, etc)  $           216.67  $       2,600.00     Total Expenses  $    2,626.99  $      31,523.92               Net Operating Income  $    2,709.01  $      32,508.08                   Mortgage Payment  $    2,333.72  $      28,004.65         Total Cash In (Downpayment + Repairs)   $   10,000.00           Net Cash Flow  $       375.29  $       4,503.43                   Investment Analysis         Appreciation Rate (20 YR AVG = 4.4%) 2.5%           Rent Appreciation (20 YR AVG = 3.1%) 2.5%         Cost to Sell Property 0.0%        

Certainly there's terms on the loan we have to honor but he's in the same boat utilizing agency financing as a preferred buyer.

They did extensive upgrades post-purchase, so a lot of the elements have been updated. 

Some people utilize a seller's concession to assist with the payment of closing costs. 

If not, just tear them down and replace later.Short sale lenders are used to closing delays....you could ask for an extension, you need 60 days minimum, to switch to a 203k....write a letter of explanation.

Before I did that, as a young professional I rented room shares from other people so instead of signing a $1000+ lease for an apartment and having to furnish it and pay for utilities, I’d rent a furnished room in a house within 10 mins walking of my job for $500-600 utilities included.