These are tough questions to answer and as you can see, you will get answers at all ends of the sprectrum from everybody across the country who likely don’t know your market, your budget, what you paid for the house, what your contacts are, etc.So with that in mind, I can tell you that generally speaking - kitchens, master baths, and curb appeal sell houses.

However, those amounts are not paid through payroll deductions.

Ask property managers what areas are in demand for rentals, and pay attention to the rents that are being paid.  

I understand that the interest paid on this type of loan cannot be written off in Oregon.

All utilities paid by the tenants.

If it's not in your name, it's not your responsibility.Now, you two get married, then that's a completely different picture, depending on how your jurisdiction handles community property.In any event, I'd suggest you find a local lender and get pre-qualified.

Since the taxes are unpaid, it is likely the property is paid off, unless he has a lender/loan servicer that is just being lazy and allowing unpaid taxes and fees to accrue.

If they seem like they need money or want to get paid right away, heck no. 

There's a Millionaire Real Estate Investor book, too.And create a database now -- whether it's index cards in a box, a free CRM, or a paid one, it will pay to have a database with systematic follow-up scheduled for you.My focus right now is systematizing my Met Database (and adding another 250 Mets this year), and systematically contacting a running list of 100 local FSBOs. 

I was pre approved for a mortgage about month ago and the bank quoted 4.625% on a 30 yr fixed.