What gets expensive is replacing a deteriorated side sewer from the house to the street, when they use the cleanouts and find out what's going on down there. 

Mortar, paint & bonding materials deteriorate leaving cracks, gaps, etc. which can be concerning to look at, but this is very often addressed with repointing.

They claim the repairs were done and that the properties were worth more at the time of purchase but that the area has deteriorated since then.Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated!

Subsequent images on the site show the property’s progressive deterioration over the years.Another property, a three-story rowhouse at 915 Dauphin St. near the Fairhill neighborhood, underwent a similar decline: Seven months after its November 2016 acquisition by DDH, it too had windows and doors.

Meanwhile the property was deteriorating and tenants complained and got Dallas County Housing Authority involved.  

.✅ Any home built before 1980, likely has cast iron or clay sewer lines which will deteriorate over time.These issues can be avoided.

Inspections may cost more upfront, but they can save you from significant headaches and unexpected expenses down the road.Negotiate Hard: Use inspection findings as leverage.If the HVAC is near the end of its life, negotiate a credit for its replacement.If the cast iron plumbing is deteriorating and needs replacement, ask for a credit as well.Sellers often prefer negotiating credits over doing the work themselves.To give you an example: I was once under contract for an old house priced at $170,000.

Motion lights and cameras to deteriorate anyone. 

The seller will also be incentivized to extend their seller carry if there’s been no appreciation or the building has deteriorated during those 5 years. 

No improvements have been made, but nothing has deteriorated either.