., new ceramic tile in the hallway, kitchen and bathroom, and bathroom completely redone (new bath and surround, new vanity, new ceramic floor, new toilet) all at a cost of some $10,000.

The name means squat.  

I'm going to remodel one of the bathrooms to include a new toilet, sink, and flooring.  

Let me say that again: Probate/estate attorneys often know squat about real estate.Who is trying to sell this property?

Pretty much anything they sell at Family Dollar a tenant should be able to install themselves; e.g. blinds, a toilet seat, towel hanger, toilet roll holder if it is not present and they wanted to.

.: If you purchase a lot with the intention of building a rent house on it can you write off any of the taxes or maintenance (lawn mowing) or driving to the property to make sure no one is dumping or squatting on it?

The lien release letters might have just applied to the lien interest on one of the properties and not all.You can use a consumer debt attorney but I have found they charge huge amounts of money 500 upfront plus so much per hour and do not promise squat.

I certainly wouldn't have just flushed that money down the toilet because the tenants were jackasses.

The full bath has a window other 1/2 bath (toilet and wash basin ) very small maybe 5x3 and no window... neither bath has ever had an exhaust fan and the house IS NOT having extensive remodleing...

You don't have to worry about tenants, toilets, and termites no living up to their agreement.