They did spend a good 5 days to move out though, so they were anyways vacating in bits and pieces.- For people speculating about the type of stairs, I am attaching a picture below.

I have always been told breaking even is not different losing money.If you have a cash flow you are able to fix problems without spending your own money.

However, to go out and just buy something for $1,000 hoping it works out knowing only what you have read or heard...you might as well spend it on lotto tickets. 

I will take 6 months to drive across Europe, then take a boat to Africa and spend 10 months traveling through Africa and finish up in South Africa.  

Should we just keep on spending money on this unit and keep on putting thing together and get bullied at the hands of this tenant, or should we take a stand and be ready to face consequences (is it worth the damages)? 

Why spend all the time doing the research when 95% don't response.

Take the money that you were considering spending - and if necessary - use that amount on your first deal on soft money fees, bank closing fees/title insurance, etc, even hard money if very short term only.

I know when I'm done with school I'd want to start investing right away into real estate instead of spending money on cars etc.

A lot of people will get analysis paralysis and unfortunately spend so much time looking to perfect everything that they never actually do a deal.

Well, you could look at it as getting some cash right on day one for a while while before you spend a few thousand fixing it up.