Stairs and Deck Warnings for Rental Property to be included in Rental Agreement. 

Originally, the property had a deck but was removed as a tree in the backyard was growing too much.

Manager lives on-site.Ok, those are the things that are positive about the home and community.Now for the things I feel would need to be added/completed/renovated before ready for sale or rent:New gutters - ~$800Laminate flooring in kitchen and bathrooms to match entire house - estimated $500Stove/Oven - ~$600Fridge - $700W/D (optional) - $600Window in master bedroom - $200Ceiling fan in master bedroom - $200Kitchen sink - $200Redo all door trim/paint all doors/rehang, replace or adjust a few doors - ~$500 (just a guess)Add small door to water heater closet ~$100New master bathtub - ~$8003-4 panels of skirting need to be replaced - $ (no idea) but estimating $200Ramp/Stairs/Deck leading to front door needs to be replaced - $1000Landscaping in front - $200Cleaning entire home to make ready for sale - $200I'd like to get a foundation specialist to look under the home (free)Roofing specialist to talk to me about the metal roof (free)I need to ask her about the furnace (forced air) and its age and working condition.I need to factor in about three months of lot rent (at $375 per month) for the renovations to be completed - $1125And I'd like to have $1000 set aside for unexpected rehab expensesGRAND TOTAL = $8925This would mean that our negotiations to the seller would start at $11,075.First, are these figures anywhere close to realistic?

Is it worth is to keep it and have the hassle of continuing to find renters, deal with fix-up for many years to eventually pay it off and use it as income, or walk away with cash now..Long term I would have to do the roof, windows, back and front deck, and some carpet whereas I do not need to do these if I sell now.

I had already addressed the water problem created by a gutter dumping under a deck, and water pooling in low spots.  

The only way to remove this from the wall is to use a diamond blade grinder and cut into this and score horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines and slowly carefully pry or chisel it out piece by piece trying not to damage the adjacent tiles. 

The builder then pulls down the plumbing, electrical and wall in the massive decks and turns these into illegal rentable suits.

I was at first frustrated that a wife asked me what color I was going to stain the deck.

The stair faces the yard, and it's not within 6' of an adjacent property.I found the code section.CHICAGO CODES 13-200-260 Porches and Decks Existing porches and decks may be repaired or replaced in the same location with construction of the same type as that of the existing porch or deck. (1) Existing porches not exceeding three stories in height may be extended up one story to the roof level regardless of their location with respect to the lot line or other buildings on the same lot, if in conformance with the Zoning Ordinance. (2) Existing porches may be enclosed, regardless of their location with respect to the lot line or other buildings on the same lot, if construction requirements of Chapter 13-60 are met.

A 3 bedroom 2 bath home has only one hvac system, one water heater, one garage door, 2 exterior doors, and no wood deck that will rot every 7-10 years.