WE can also reduced the amount of grass in yards.  

Fix the roof and subfloor I think you'll be closer to $4k +/-  this is minimum.  

I've read rental agreements that talk about keeping the property looking up to standards (ie no long grass, cars on cinder blocks, etc) but how would you keep somebody from flying a confederate flag?

They cut the grass and take care of a few things in exchange for rent. 

Your mortgage payment alone (Principle and Interest) will be closer to $700 per month.

found a good deal untill the FOIA came back today and crushed me 15,000 for water 26,000 for grass cutting and 3,000 misc items.

I drove past property and the grass has not been cut or the weeds trimmed.

I notified my attorney to make sure this is addressed - either FNMA has to pay it off or we need to have funds set aside in escrow for it.A few days before closing when all the emails are flying around between the closer, my attorney, the agent, about all the mistakes in the title commitment and HUD-1 etc...I raised the outstanding water bill issue again. 

@Steve BabiakOf course you're right, I think it just hits a little closer to home for me because I have two girls. 

I've been looking around in my home and native land for a while but never really found anything compelling to put my CAD to work...inspiring to see you managed to snag this and makes me want to take a second, closer look at Canadian properties - at this exchange rate, better than bringing some CAD down here I think!