I am planning a stay using air bob in march that is the soonest this location has an affordable opening.  

Improved education and a taste of success seem to be the keys to spark interest in many of the stories I've heard.

Neighborhood median home values will never increase if no one improves them, no one takes on the risk to improve them because they don't anticipate the ability to get a high appraisal to sell, refinance etc.

Also, how would you craft the agreement so that you are protected but it is a win-win for everyone involved.I recently listened to one of the older podcasts, where the subject to is crafted in a way that gives the initial buyer a 60 day option to find a buyer wanting to do a lease purchase.My good friend owns a nice 2004 3/2 down the road from me and she is recently divorced but is stationed in CA in the Air Force and can't afford the maintenance on it...she has rented it the last year but couldnt get the rents because of some of the deferred maintenance issues so she can't even cover her mortgage now.  

I would check the moisture content of the walls, concrete floor, wood members in the basement and the air itself - my guess is that they're all reading higher than recommended.

I applaud you wanting to add value and improve quality of life for tenants...

Hello BP, What are the some things/strategies that you've come across that have helped improve your business?

It might take 5 years, maybe 10 but the place is rapidly changing and improving. 

Improve from there.The truth is when you're new you only need ONE source of notes.

For a small house, I think you can get close to or at $50K if you remove some of the labor costs by DIY and ignore some things like permit costs, tap fees, other site improvements.