The seller has not had any recent communication with the tenant since they have basically gone dark.

In other words, give them amnesty from payment while they go dark and tack those missed months onto the back end of their lease.

Would I feel comfortable sending my wife here after dark? 

Newly refinished dark hardwood floors as well.Main goal is to add the most value, and selling points while keeping cost down.

The 20% down gives some cushion to the lender for foreclosing and trying to be made whole, the buyer has more skin the game do less likely to readily default, etc. 

put some skin in the game.get out there and practice what you learn.the best way to learn how to evaluate a deal is to evaluate a real deal.the best way to learn about getting a quote from a contractor is, get three quotes from three different contractorsand the best way to learn how to close a deal, fix it up and put in a tenant, is-just do it.i hope i was of some help to you

I understand that if the sponsor has some skin in the game, then they will be more likely to make the deal succeed.Thanks for any answers.

The trees make the house look very dark.

Even the public housing nearby has trendy paint colors, new roofs, no smoking anywhere on property, and the place is almost empty on weekdays meaning they all likely work.

My house has beautiful detailed original dark wood trim (house built 1894).