The extra money the seller has on the line is usually a great motivator.Being a conservative investor, the one thing that would stop me from closing (even with a good escrow agreement and plenty of cash to cover the cleanup) would be a situation I considered to have a reasonable risk of someone getting injured or killed due to the nature of the material left behind and easy access to it.

Furthermore, whatever material I am unfamiliar with, I have been researching and studying nightly.

The difference in price of material may not be that significant. 

I use 3 categories - mileage, meals, materials, and just drop the receipt expenses into each.

The biggest issue w the stock market right now is companies are posting growth and profits but their stock is continuing to drop based on oil prices, raising and lowering of the dollar value, external factors like greece and china.

If you have good credit and your family members are not marking up material there is a game I used to play with credit cards.First get a credit card that has 0% interest on purchases for 6 months and you purchase the materials on that card.

Assume $5-20K, depending on location, size of property, building materials used, etc. 

***Seeother notes.Down Payment: $0.00Loan Amount: $80,000.00Loan Points: $0.00Loan Fees:Amortized Over: 20 yearsLoan Interest Rate: 5.000%Monthly P&I: $527.96Income1 Unit $1,400.00    2 Unit $950.00Other $0.00Total $2,350.00ExpensesVacancy $70.50 Repairs $47.00CapEx $117.50 Electricity $200.00Water $25.00 Sewage $25.00Garbage $51.00 Insurance $82.00P&I $527.96 Property Taxes $152.92Misc: Fuel oil $275.00Total $1,573.88Buy & Hold Analysis - 08/27/15 04:43:50Financial ProjectionsTotal Initial Equity: $30,600.00Gross Rent Multiplier: 2.84Income-Expense Ratio (2% Rule): 2.87%Typical Cap Rate: 5.00% Debt Coverage Ratio: 2.47%ARV based on Cap Rate: $312,980.0050% Rule Cash Flow EstimatesTotal Monthly Income: $2,350.00x50% for Expenses: $1,175.00Monthly Payment/Interest Payment: $527.96Total Monthly Cash flow using 50% Rule: $647.04House Size (sq. ft) 1500Year Built 1941Year Renovated 2001Units 2Stories 2Property Type Small Multifamily (2-4 Units)County Appraised Value 110600Pool YesHeating YesGarage 1Construction WoodRoofing ShingleFlooring Types Hardwood & CarpetWiring Condition GoodPlumbing Condition GoodSiding Material WoodOther Info: Owner/ buyer will occupy 1 floor unit for 24 months.

Unlikely that siding material will be a factor for a tenant as far as rent amount is concerned.

Remember this. 4) PEX is wonderful, and ProPex I am a fan of5) When buying a REO the amount of deferred maintenance should not be underestimated.6) Sometimes it would cost less to demo out things than repair them- make sure you factor which is more LABOR and material efficient.