I have been trying to update, fix, and maintain as much as I can with tenants in place but of course I can only do so much (new deck/stairs, new tile and vanity in bath, clean-up yard, fix irrigation, etc.).

Go to a small lumber yard good contractors use more consistently and ask for referrals.

Many people had oil tanks buried in their yards.

Do you want to spend a relatively high rent or purchase price and have a short commute and raise your family in Manhattan, or do you want to have a long commute and have a bigger house and yard and live in the suburbs, or something in between.

I was curious if any of you had some major life changing plans other than laying in a hammock all day in the back yard. 

I was thinking of putting new fencing around the front yard of the house.

This is a town home with about a 120 sq/ft front and back yard.

Young professional families looking to move to Indianapolis (but not a suburb) are definitely drawn to this particular neighborhood, with its mature trees, ample yard space, and rich history.

The current tenants leave empty beer bottles in the yard, leave toys outside, and store items like folding tables propped up against the exterior.

One of the main reasons I target properties built in the 80s or 90s ... new enough to have modern construction (no lead paint, no asbestos) and modern layouts, larger yards, yet old enough to have differed maintenance/dated finishes (to therefore negotiate a good deal and force appreciation) and normally have NO HOA.