A vacation (seriously no electronics in tow) might not hurt either but donating a thousand bucks here and there to some charities; purchase some school supplies, tablets for a low income school in your market; start a non-profit organization of your own.

I imagine there is an art to this, since you're some stranger coming over unannounced claiming salvation.

Flipping land is an art and sure is quite a niche that most investors never tackle.

Real estate is both art and science.  

im a service plumber and 700 is reasonable. cant return electronic parts to the supply house so the markup significantly exceeds 30% on the control board. he was just covering himself from a loss if the furnace needed more parts after the control board and you fired him. then he would be stuck with a $350 control board.

I noticed recent regulations on Home Valuation Code of Conduct and was able to get an electronic copy of the appraisal I paid for.  

I collect all rents electronically or tenants post to our account.

You mean paper vs. electronic?

And even something simple like making your PDF application a fill-able form that can be completed electronically, saved and emailed to you easily will certainly help. 

you appear to be questioning their ability to pay on thie appearance, age, and fmaily status. tread very, very carefully. just because they have body art doesn't mean they are bad people. some of the nicest, most honest people i know have body art....they are quite creative.fourthly, you are not buying at the right price if you are determining the rent price based on your needed costs to cover rehab.