Visited the house today after giving the tenants more than the required notice. Was pleasantly surprised that even though they got a dog, and recently had her sister move in with them (now 6 or so people living there) against the lease terms, that the house was in good condition. Flooring was fine, and they will carpet clean that even, and do some of their own repairs. Although they were great tenants and it turned out OK this time, I am going to be more strict in the future when I see violations (though I did not know the sister and her kids moved in recently as well).
In any case, I'm debating doing the work myself vs farming it out. I posted an advertisement on CL for the work I want done, asking for the labor to be separated from the materials in the quotes I receive. Before I tell you what I need done, let me preface this by saying I have a new stressful FT job, full time grad school, and another house (Short sale to close in next two months I hope) that will need just one room repaired before ready to rent. My plate is rather large and full.
I don't think the below work would take too long, maybe a few weekends, but that seems like a lot for me with what's on my plate right now. Also, I have received quotes for far more work than this before and was surprised by how cheap it was (potential rental purchases that I needed to assess cost to repair). I don't anticipate more than 2K parts and labor, if even that (that's a high estimate). I know what the parts for the gutters cost, and at least that doesn't seem like it would take too long, unless it ends up being a PITA to mend the joints.
I need the gutters on a smallish house replaced (also could use a new roof, but will likely wait for that one more year), painting the exterior trim and maybe replacing some of the trim that is rotted in some spots, new linoleum installed in the bathroom and kitchen, exterior doors replaced, and one interior door replaced.
This doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the tenants, the gutters needed replacing when I moved in, as did the doors, and the linoleum. I just think that this is a good time to do it. I can get higher rent and the house will look better. I will probably do some basic landscaping myself to add curb appeal, and I may even get a quote for the roof (metal vs asphalt shingles).