If I inspect a home I look under floor, attic, garage wall insulation. 

For a ceiling or wall finish I use a roller. 

Also being talked into doing a tile backsplash in the kitchen and tile wall for the tub area.

@Jaron Walling What you're seeing at 10th and Rural is the Educator's Village. 

You never know what will show up behind that wall you tear down.My biggest tip would be to team up with another investor, and/or GC, that has a lot of experience (and some capital).

I run the cold water while I am there to keep water from sitting in pipes, which can increase odds of it freezing, especially on exterior walls which is common in kitchens.Even though your lease doesn't specifically call out this information, they are still responsible for the damage caused by their neglect. 

Clean the walls with a solution such as TSP.

, maintain caulk in vinyl replacement window exteriors- With elderly cast-iron DWW system in place, ALWAYS be on the alert for comments about foul odors coming from drains/walls -- invaluable indicator that traps are siphoning/leaking out/cast iron is drying out/sewage gas is escaping.- Check for corner tears on screens- Monitor doorways for expanding corner cracks indicating accelerated/new settling.- Repeating @George W.'

Property mix of three buildings. one in 1980 and other two prior 20 years, all connected now with connecting walls.

The roof has at least been done periodically, but windows are broken, walls are falling down.