ONe thing with fresh rehab SFR's is there is no history only estimations of how your going to do..

They're being investigated and will be served with cease and desist papers from the state, so they wont be bidding any new jobs.

For example, ceiling fans in the master bedroom and family room, improving the curb appeal and the front entrance area, fresh paint, etc.

I considered a property in France a few years ago, the more I investigated the matter the colder my feet got and changed my mind. :)

A cash-out refi is usually only doable with about 6 months remaining on the loans so that can restrict your exit strategy options because if you now want to sell the potential buyer can not get additional loan dollars and if they put fresh debt on it there will be a very large defeasance (prepayment) payment you will have to come up with.Final thing, don't just assume you can get the assumption approved by sellers lender and don't go on the word of anyone except the actual DUS lender.  

If you had to do it all over again and start fresh what would you purchase?

I'm not nearly as experienced as many on here, but my experience is fresh and freely available.Good luck!

Evict and start fresh with someone I have vetted?  

To me it screams newbie fresh out of a seminar.

If you feel like there is any thing funny or unethical going on, REPORT IT to the local real estate board they are with so they can investigate it.