If you are considering switching to a different heating system you will need to remove the tank and clean any contaminated soil.

$ NOI improvement / cap rate = market value addedForced appreciation is great and you control it.1 - raise rents to market value2 - enforce late fees3 - charge application fees4 - supplemental income (laundry, parking, vending)5 - reduce vacancy6 - screen properly to reduce turnover7 - respond quickly to maintenance requests to improve tenant retention8 - clean up landscaping9 - address deferred maintenance10 - rehab units and raise rents 11 - dispute tax assessed value12 - shop insurance, landscaping, garbage, pest control, snow removal, painting, flooring, HVAC, plumbing, electrical...the list goes on13 - ratio bill shared utilities (if the market will bear it)Every $1 improvement in NOI = $10 improvement in value on a 10 cap, for example.  

The contract and/or an escrow agreement will dictate when they can release the deposit and to who and whether the account has to be interest bearing.

We also own a vacation rental duplex at Three Bears Resort.  

Even reading BP, that seems to be are recurring theme for us CA people.  

See what the market will bear.

I use MACRS 200% DB as the depreciation method based on IRS guidelines outlined in Publication 527 (linked).Newer items are depreciated faster up front with depreciation slowing as they get to the end of their useful life.Reserve dollars are placed into an interest bearing money market account. 

Yep, and have them shoot the grade at about 1/4-1/2" a foot if possible so water doesn't run too fast washing out, use larger rock in base and fill cracks with smaller gravel....it's what we do around here....if you're guy doesn't know what he's doing, get someone who does for your terrain and soil type.

I have learned this in my vacation cabin business when people left the trash out on the porch (where the bears took it and spread it around each night) instead of reading down my information list as to where to put the trash.

Once it is attached, they can jack up the footing if needed.This is all based on the type of soils but usually helical's can be used in majority of soils unless the house was build on limestone or a giant rock.