Catching minor issues before they become huge problems can save you lots of money and prolong the life of your systems.  

If not already treated, even some oil or deck treatment on the deck boards would maybe lessen the gap, plus it'll prolong the life of the deck.

I feel bad for all people involved, but staying there just prolongs this.

I’d also like to avoid a prolonged land contract/loan situation.Is there anything to prevent the following scenario from playing out, provided the seller agreed to the terms?

If you stop the eviction by accepting partial rent or whatever you prolong the process.

Also, you may potential be leasing to a tenant that is not only comfortable with navigating through the eviction process but also skilled at how to prolong the eviction through actions such calling code enforcement for mold, claiming there is vital maintenance not corrected by landlord......If you are in even a mildly good rental area I would take a chance on younger folks with no rental history before I gambled with someone that has proved they are potential to not pay.

Then to prolong it until she could get her tax money she went to rent escrow and opened a case.

Rather than go through this strenuous foreclosure process, they simply opt to instead hold their lien longer, thereby prolonging their interest into a second year.

Leverage & its amplifying effect during price depreciation, B. unexpected prolonged vacancy period, C.

The first guy said he could do a number of things in the 20k range as far as supporting the foundation extremely well but that he could also come in and jack up the house, replace a few posts and and that would even out my kitchen( which dips a couple inches) and would prolong the life of the foundation.