So, in your example, they would represent you free of charge initially, and then collect, say 33% of anything you get awarded in excess of the original offer. 

But at the same time scary here some of the issues:-Wiring/Electric issues: there were double taps and too small cables used-Standing water in half of the backyard (every time it rains harder according to the tenants)-One of the AC units is from 2003-AC air ducts are moldy-AC pipe in addict are crushed, insulation broken, taped with lots of air leaving-No drip pan and turn off switch for airhandler (2001) in one unit-Too little insulation-Moisture in the addict-Missing firewalls between the two units-One unit has copper pluming the other unit has recently received PEX, but where the wall was cut open to replace plumbing has not been closed and you can see lots of mold, mice droppings -One of the water heaters is sitting in water and mold on PVC and is rusting and leaking.

@Eric CreagerI dont know of a specific resource but in general you want to look at the big ticket items first.Foundation - cracks, settling, moisture (basements)Roof - age remaining life, condition- missing shingles, leaks improper valleys and flashing Hvac -age useful life left.

I have a duplex  that my two tenants share the utilities charges.  One tenant with the larger unit pays 2/3 of electric, gas and water.  The other tenant pays the 1/3,  During the summer, the electric bill was almost ...

This, coupled with a reduction on the price of the property given to us by the seller and the passage of about a year leaves us with needing only a few hundred thousand dollars when we finally closed a few months ago.Being left with over $2M on the loan, we've been making rather large payments to get rid of the amount in excess of what we need.

Moisture invasion is a major issue (ie the longer you wait the more it costs) and roofs are not cheap.Get a roofing contractor to tell you if you can get a 5 year cert. 

Also, with me living there, I am pretty confident that things would rarely get “out of hand” or that my tenants would cause excessive damage/wear to the property.

I can rent each unit out for 950 producing gross rents of 2850 leaving me with an excess of $350/month.

People get tripped up with the 14k exclusion number as if a gift in excess of that amount triggers a tax liability.

Is maintain moisture area a home that diffcult?