Of course, of you buy a 5-10 year old house, you're likely to need to do some repairs/replacement during the 5-8 year holding period you're looking at anyway. - One advantage to buying a newer home is that you're more likely to get some on the in features already- granite countertops, open floor plans, etc.
If you are uncertain about how much to give, just to tip based on your bill. Generally, 10% - 15% of the bill is the most proper amount. For the tour guide and the driver, 10-70 RMB (1 - 10 US dollars) a day per person is adequate.
Tips are not normally listed as part of one's compensation in ads for cleaning positions, as it usually is for restaurants. Our experience is that crews don't expect regular tips, but they frequently get, and certainly appreciate, a nice bonus of 20-30% during the holiday season.