Zero out and saving money means instant ROI in most peoples' minds.Every circumstance is different.

This is not the case, there are over a million members here and a lot are serious entrepreneurs who have many other priorities, busy lives etc. which means you have to be proactive, when socializing, engaging, communicating ideas and asking for help.2) There is typical no absolute answer: Everything in life is nuanced and the advice you receive may be great but you have to take into consideration your circumstances, and know yourself.

All our rentals are in C/D areas and we do not install carpet under any circumstances.

As @Basit Siddiqi has said, you'll probably have to add the improvements as a separate asset to get it to calc correctly.Alternatively, may be able to expense the $2k of capital improvements as de minimis depending on the facts and circumstances.

Depends on the facts and circumstances."

If you moved because of work, military assignment, work in the intelligence industry, health reasons, or another IRS-approved 'unforeseen circumstance', you may be eligible for a pro-rate exemption.https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/the-partia...https://www.irs.gov/publications/p523#en_US_2018_p...

We have a lot of old inventory here, so the chances of it needing unforeseen maintenance is almost a certainty. 

Depending on the circumstances of each individual, more information may be requested by the lender.

I've let tenants break lease with a 30 day notice in certain circumstance. 

Many of you may even have been in similar circumstances and faced similar tough decisions.