There are very likely more specific reasons under the surface, and along the way, you will learn more about them, they're property, and the situation. 

There're few area that still need to catch up with the trend like oakland,walnut creek and such..... but last 6 month is defintely good to see there's condo to sell for $398,000 ; or a 2/1 Cupertino house for only $1.2 million ; that's like $200 fashion designer blouse is being re-sold in Ross for $50k.

What do you use as the surface of any balcony that has to be repaired?

The asbestos with tiles is probably underneath and not on the surface.

@Pedro PadiernaI can't see photos, but if it is not renting, the price is too high for the experience of the potential renter or the process is too difficult.The truck you describe is always going to be there in some fashion.

If you want to warm up a living room the tenants can get a great area rug designer on sale for cheap like 99 dollars and throw it down.Make sure with the tiles they are not the slippery kind with no grit to them.Those kinds can get wet and make people slip and fall.Much better to spend about 6 cents more a sq ft and get the cheap kind but they have the grip coating and not the ultra smooth slippery surface.

I am trying to decide between standard shaker like here and flat glass surface, like here  

Even as a person in tech, I prefer these old-fashioned income machines to the flashy new entrants in my own field.

In the level area I put in surface drains as well as a french drain next to the foundation. 

I'm use to the old fashion way of just knocking on doors.