Few contractors are going to go through the trouble of telling you they're spending $30 for nails and $300 for boards, etc when a) they may not even get the job, so they spent all that time, b) you will probably use the itemization to try to chew them down a few points on each one, and c) it doesn't leave them a whole lot of room to absorb unknowns unless they make a bigger contingency fund.

Tips to get an accepted offer: IF ( capital IF ) you know what your looking for in a home you can wave inspection contingency.

My closing was supposed to be this Friday but my offer was contingent on 1 unit being vacant and sellers agent said they cant vacate for another 3 weeks but are willing to close if I let the tenants stay until then.

One that has space to add contingencies...I found a few websites but they all require monthly subscriptions etc...Thanks fam

Folks, I am desperate, ok, almost desperate. 2 months ago I went under contract that is not contingent of financing.

Has waving inspections and appraisal contingencies always been a popular strategy in winning offers or is this becoming more popular in the current market?

If you want to do an offer contingent on you viewing it, yes.As for renos, it depends on what is needed. 

To get ahead, our agent asked if we would be comfortable waiving the appraisal contingency, but not an inspection contingency. 

A 3-4 week vacancy during rehab sounds optimistic to me especially if you are going to be asking market rents when the rehab is completed.Does the $200K reno budget have contingencies for cost overruns (just like new construction, rehab costs have risen rapidly where we are) and will the property be able to carry on extended vacancy?

If I was dead set on rentals, I would be looking for a 600-700k multifamily property (of course contingent on condition), and renovate units while holding a few years.