We had a lot of tenants who did not want their names on door entry systems and we have a lot of tenants who get angry when we put their names on mail boxes.

The access was really just more of finding out if it is allowed given that 1 in a thousand chance...i.e. one of the properties I am looking at for September still has a lock box for agents that my agent could theoretically access if we had permission, but as it is schedule for auction on the 1st, but I don't know whether I should be contacting the law firm or the lender to ask if it is vacant?

The countertop is what matters most aesthetically if the cabinets are functioning and painted and there are beautiful preformed laminate choices at box stores.

I just use a drop box at the property and have them drop money orders/cashier's checks.

Smoke detector wiring Outside lights Kitchen lighting and receptacles , fix receptacles that are indented into the wall on 2nd floor finish installing switches on first floor straighten outside service pole Finish wiring breaker box install exterior receptacle Install receptacle next to breaker box. 

Keeping your checks in a locked drawer or lock box in a drawer is also a smart thing to do.

If you are in this boat, as I was only eight years ago, I’m going to go out on a limb and recommend thinking outside the box, at least for now.

Automate check in with a lock box or smart lock.Do these things and you will be well on your way to self management. 

So when your mom  has a problem with her knee, is she going to sit by the mail box and wait for a direct mail piece to arrive about getting her knee looked at?

Really this might come down to you doing a comparative cost approach or a cost-benefit analysis to compare the two options, but I want to speak from my gut:  personally I'd let the first home ride out on the current financing and get the most optimized new home possible (for me that would mean it is low maintenance, checks some lifestyle boxes, and works marvelously as an investment).