We will be approaching the current owners with an unsolicited offer, because we think under the right terms we can achieve good returns for our investors and ourselves by improving operations.

Rehab them up to Market standards and/or improve the operation.  

If the property is owned less than 12 monthsWill lend up to 80% of the original purchase price and rehab amount if material improvements to the property have been made.Will lend on the original purchase price if the property has not been materially improved"I think you're right though, they may cut the ltv to 70 and not care too much.There are other lenders that have long term financing without seasoning, is generally easy to qualify (many don't have any income requirements) and have reasonable ltv's, but they are not cheap in rate or points@Andrew Hunt PM me and I'll point you in the right direction given your circumstances.Stephanie

I have never seen a property that has exhausted all possible appreciation forcing opportunities so even if it seems stable it might still have some "meat on the bone" to improve income or reduce expenses (e.g 100% occupied property usually means there is some room to increase rents).Lastly, forcing appreciation might sounds like an awesome thing to do but it involves a lot of hard work, careful planning and being ready for the hiccups and surprises life throws at you. 

I just want the tax situation to be improved.

@Russ Scheider  golf course communities can go through this..La Quinta CC in So CAL had their club house demolished in an earthquake.. well it was still standing but it needed to come down..  25 million to replace.. 400 members. you can do the math.when economies have issues as well CC can be a really dicey thing.I lived at Silverado CC In the Napa Valley for a decade ( owners of Halls Chop house there in Charleston used to be the GM there).. but the course was not owned by us members so we were never subject to any capital improvement fees.. but then again we did not have a lot of say.. and the course was semi private with resort guests.. ( which I liked I met all sorts of cool people from all over the world that came and stayed there etc etc)

Make sure you clarify what will happen if they don't fulfill this duty.Here is an example from our rental agreement:1.LANDSCAPING/YARD CARE.Regular landscaping/yard care (mowing, edging, trimming, fertilizer, weed control) will be provided by _______________________.For all Tenants:a.Tenant agrees to keep yards, walkways, patios and decks clear and to keep premises free of junk and debris.b.Tenant accepts liability for all landscape damage and/or replacement of such, if caused by neglect, abuse or lack of water.c.Tenant may plant the beds adjacent to their dwelling to their liking, but only with those plants that are of appropriate size and type for the beds.All plants brought or caused to be brought to the property by Tenant will be cared for by Tenant.d.Tenant agrees not to cut or prune trees, hedges and shrubs.This will be Landlord’s responsibility.e.Tenant agrees to properly dispose of all plant debris and agrees to not leave such on the property.f.Landlord will consider special Tenant requests for planting and removal of plants, shrubbery and trees, but reserves the right to determine the make-up of the landscaping.For Tenants of single family homes only: a.Tenant agrees to mow, water, and keep the grass, lawn, flowers and shrubbery thereon in good order and condition, applying fertilizers and weed retardant as needed. b.If there is a failure of Tenant to keep the landscaping in good order and to follow these guidelines, Landlord reserves the right to hire a landscaping service at Tenant’s expense (after a 10-day notice to perform covenant).c.Landlord reserves the right to restore the landscaping to its initial condition, as it was at the time Tenant began occupancy, or if improved during Tenant’s occupancy, to the level of such improvement.

3-D home improvement in Racine.

In other words, if I opted to make large scale improvements to my other properties (new roof, kitchen, bathrooms, ect) would these expenses help offset the profits of the flip? 

If I buy a Student Housing or Apartment DST with a 50% L/V for $200K, and they have say 20% land and 80% improvement.