The lights in the home are on but no one will come to the door.

Common areas that tenants miss are parts of the range and range hood, the far reaches inside cupboards, ceiling light globes, inside the furnace and hot water heater closets and the heat ducts (take of the heat registers/grilles and see what has dropped into the duct).Read the information in this link:http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/new-jersey-...It will give you some insight on how the landlord should have approached the itemization and return of the security deposit in New Jersey.

Hey Natalie Coleman I’ve read some of Nicholas Aiola articles regarding capital gains tax and rental property tax, so he may be able to shed some light on this topic for you.Dan

Lowes has the best bathroom fixtures for the price or Menards has the best prehung solid core doors for the money etc. 

The house needs about 40k worth of work (New Roof, interior and exterior Paint, Flooring, possibly new plumbing, kitchen cabinets, kitchen appliances, lighting)  subbed out and around 25-30k if I put in some sweat equity and take away some upgrades.

Put in missing/burnt light bulbs.- Turn on water.  

Install new carpet in the large family room.Paint most of the interior.Install all new light fixtures. 

Try a black light and Nature's Miracle. 

The  big energy drain in July-Agust and January-February are the cooling and heating costs, much more than lighting, cooking, or other electrical appliances.

Thanks all.On the deal where I lost 13k due to the appraisal coming in light, I had only payed 10k for the house and had sold it for something like 123k.