This is a long held power, as many monopolies/oligopolies have been broken up over history.

Work hard and be niceIgnorance is the consequence of knowing everything (I just made that up)Contractors have more funerals, weddings and broken trucks than any other demographic on the planetDon't be sleazy (I just made this up, as well)

I got permission to 'stabilize it"--clean and fix broken things only. 

The agent didn't have access to property and after waiting over 20 minutes the agent jumped the fence and climbed through a broken window to let me in.

Value was added to the Stowers Road property through strategic renovations, including essential upgrades and aesthetic improvements.

Most everything can be upgraded without gutting a home!

Pick the worst house in a great neighborhood and upgrade.  

Well it sounds you will be on the hook for a septic upgrade.Has the township told you, you need to upgrade the tank or do they only want the drainfield inspection?

All you have to do is make a compelling point for them, and having a broken property that they don't want to fix can be a reasonable one.Anyway, allow me to give you a couple of points to think about.Downtown LA has been suffering because of the working-from-home shift and the effects of the homeless.

Are there broken down cars in the driveway?