There are a bunch of holes in each strap and every hole must have a nail in it.

Nevertheless, I unfortunately cannot help you with your starting offer because the Baltimore market is drastically different than the Dallas market, but if you're able to nail that down, you still have the backup plan of an option period in which you could always back out if your numbers are way off.

Nail polish on the molding around the kitchen door (I was there to actually look at the furnace).  

Dorian hit the nail on the head with his list,

You nailed it.

He was pretty vocal about it because no one told him and he got nailed.

You nailed it, he inherited two units in this complex less than two years ago. the units themselves are only worth 4k to 10k at best and are paid off. so if he gave me both of his units, it would take an additional 12 months of that rental income to cover my losses.

Dog paws are not friendly to hardwood flooring, even dogs with regularly trimmed nails.

Also, if on a slab consider polished concrete, which is the least maintainance of all and trendy now!

The risks; if you get nailed for fraud, negligence or lead paint, guess what happens to your IRA?