At the end of the day it's a matter of preference, so long as the unit looks clean, that's what really sells the tenant. 

@Lyn Green I was saying that it is a common misconception that you can write off more items with an LLC than not.

Who mows the lawn/cleans the pool/etc and what is the cost? 

In general, updated with clean and modern furnishings is always a good start. 

@Peter Beckwith I've used Loiselle Insurance and Cross Insurance (formerly Troy, Pires & Allen) and had good experiences with both for owner/landlord insurance.My contact at Loiselle is Nate Green.

I have a rental property in East Texas, the plumber is over there every couple months cleaning roots out of the cast iron pipes.

Empty the property, clean it up, start fresh with a competent property manager that handles these issues so you don't have to.Remember: cheaper doesn't mean you'll make more money.You can start by going to www.narpm.org to search their directory of managers.

Once you close on the property, I think that it would be fine to kindly ask the executor of the estate or the deceased's personal representative to make arrangements to have the unit cleaned out as soon as possible.

Robert Greene has a great quote “eventually, the time that was not spent on learning skills will catch up with you and the fall will be painful.”

Im very green!