Then after weeks of no return calls to the brokers or lawyers, they come back stating that they have reservations about the properties not being maintained (which of course is false) and that there is a leak on the property (that was fixed, they inspected) that they still don't believe was the cause of the water leak....even though the plumber told them so and showed the videos. 

@Michael SheaDepending on how close you are to the ocean, you can probably get away with those whole house fans where it sucks fresh air from open windows.

Updated electrical, HVAC, plumbing & water service.

City has around 300k populations and population growth is 3-4%.All the lots have city water and sewer, but road is private.

Some providers take the approach that a furnace or water heater with several years of expected life shouldn't be replaced in the rehab, but that the final product should be priced accordingly.

San Marcos has sweet water on one side of town and foul water on the other, so the houses with sweet water are more in demand. 

I just closed on January 21st.I received a water, sewer, trash bill for the period of December 30th - January 28th.Should I pay the whole bill or ask for it to be prorated for the 8 days I have been the owner?

Get on or very near the water.

Full gut/rehab (3/2 SFR) 2020 2021 April Multiplier Materials* Materials % of job Multiplier Labor $ Increase 01: Plans / Permits Plans / Permits $ 5,000 $ 5,500 10% 0% 10% $ 500 02: Demolition $ 5,000 $ 5,500 10% 0% 10% $ 500 03: Foundation $ 20,000 $ 22,000 10% 50% 10% $ 2,000 04: Roof / Gutters $ 17,000 $ 18,870 12% 50% 10% $ 1,870 05a: Exterior Paint Exterior Paint $ 7,000 $ 7,700 10% 50% 10% $ 700 05b: Siding $ 5,000 $ 5,500 10% 50% 10% $ 500 06: Windows $ 5,000 $ 5,500 10% 50% 10% $ 500 07: Garage $ 5,000 $ 5,500 10% 50% 10% $ 500 07b: Driveway $ 5,000 $ 5,500 10% 50% 10% $ 500 08: Framing $ 5,000 $ 9,500 170% 50% 10% $ 4,500 09: Finish Carpentry $ 5,000 $ 9,500 170% 50% 10% $ 4,500 10: Sheetrock / Insulation $ 20,000 $ 22,000 10% 50% 10% $ 2,000 11: Interior Paint Interior Paint $ 7,000 $ 7,700 10% 50% 10% $ 700 12a: Flooring (laminate) Flooring (laminate) $ 5,000 $ 5,500 10% 50% 10% $ 500 12b: Flooring (carpet) Flooring (carpet) $ 5,000 $ 5,500 10% 50% 10% $ 500 13: Kitchen All new cabs & countertops $ 7,000 $ 9,940 170% 20% 10% $ 2,940 14: Bathroom $ 5,000 $ 5,500 10% 50% 10% $ 500 15a: Plumbing Rough $ 7,000 $ 7,700 10% 50% 10% $ 700 15b: Plumbing Final Fixtures, water heater, garbage disposal, dishwasher $ 2,500 $ 2,750 10% 50% 10% $ 250 16a: Electrical Rough $ 7,000 $ 8,400 30% 50% 10% $ 1,400 16b: Electrical Final Fixtures $ 2,500 $ 3,000 30% 50% 10% $ 500 17: HVAC Work $ 5,000 $ 5,500 10% 50% 10% $ 500 18: Appliances Range, Garbage disposal, dishwasher $ 4,000 $ 4,400 10% 0% 10% $ 400 19a: Yard Cleanup $ 2,000 $ 2,200 10% 50% 10% $ 200 19b: Fence $ 5,000 $ 9,500 170% 50% 10% $ 4,500 20: Basement / Crawlspace Vapor barrier $ 3,000 $ 3,300 10% 50% 10% $ 300 Contingency Stuff happens $ 5,000 $ 5,500 10% 50% 10% $ 500 trash haul Final trash load $ 500 $ 550 10% 0% 10% $ 50 mow lawn $ 500 $ 550 10% 0% 10% $ 50 Staging $ 3,000 $ 3,300 10% 0% 10% $ 300 $ 180,000 $ 213,360 $ 33,360 16% Does this make sense?

Other simple things include grounding/reversed polarity of outlets (you can buy an outlet tester at Home Depot for $5), using foil-faced tape at furnace & water heater flue pipe connections, operable smoke/CO detectors, cracked/chipping/peeling paint if your applicant has children under the age of 6 (I think?)