No need to tie into the rest of the house, since there are units that can be used just to condition (heat and cool) a small space like that.I believe that the electrical wiring can be surface mounted in channels or in conduit or in metal jacketed cable, but those aren't as visually attractive as being behind a wall.You want this to be living space - anything in particular (family room, office, etc)?

Remember that part of your success comes from people knowing they can trust you, that you do what you say and that you operate in a way that will not attract unnecessary legal or regulatory action.Too much reading between the lines leads people to think that there is a snake in the grass so they will not trust you.Find a good agent that can run automated reports.

Some are at the price point fairly attractive to first time buyer and I notice few did got sold at 6~10% above foreclsoured amount.

I would want the tenant out so I could get the rodent problem under control and get a full scope of the termite damage.That is what I would be concerned with as well as your re-tenant and lost rent costs until you rent the unit out again.Since you own a duplex they have shared walls.You have to make sure the other tenant is clean or the pest control service will make ZERO DIFFERENCE.The reason is even if you put poison down but food is available the pest will leave the poison and eat the food.You have to close off all exterior gaps of the building,keep tree branches away from critters getting in,keep trash in trash cans and away from the building for pick up,clean unit top to bottom,pull out stove and fridge in kitchen and degrease and sanitize.After years of recycling tenants you would not believe what builds up back there that attracts and breeds pests.Good Luck

(You want to see this because if just one never-heard-of-before builder is building, you might not be as attracted to a project as you would be if several big-name builders were all creating projects in the same place). o Who else is investing right now?

A way that people are becoming more attractive is paying a year up front to seperate from the rest.

It isn't a luxury community by any leap, but I would say its a low risk area that is likely to attract stable, non-destructive, tenants.

Although having too high LTV on a property puts you at risk of going underwater in a downturn, carrying a reasonable mortgage can make you less attractive for lawsuits.  

I'd avoid buying in a place like Eagle's landing personally but I also know folks who have made an attractive income owning apartments and renting at rates as low as you've found.  

I feel that if we install a fence, we could charge a bit more each month, while also being more attractive to long term tenants that need a large-dog friendly home (which, in my opinion, is hard to find in our area).