His lawyer even told our lawyer he had a crappy case.I was a bit annoyed that our insurance company settled for a $70K payout. 

This is a recent decision where a title insurer denied coverage to an insured owner who had been named in a suit to rescind the deed into the insured. 

I hope you or someone is at least keeping an eye on your properties for break ins, squatters, roof leaks, temperature control, frozen pipes (if in cold climate), if you have a basement and sump pump goes out leading to water damage etc.I just talked to two investors in California that have let their properties sit vacant (no mortgages so paying property taxes and insurance).

Deposits from the tenant.Security deposits from the tenant in residential dwelling units shall be deposited in a trust account with a licensed and federally insured depository institution lawfully doing business in this State or the landlord may, at his option, furnish a bond from an insurance company licensed to do business in North Carolina.

You purchase title insurance in case there is a lien they missed.It sounds like you merely defaulted on the contract.

We have not disabled ours or converted to gas, but Tenant must sign a Fireplace Addendum stating if they use it, we require a higher renter's liability policy with us as additional insured, rules on wood, storage, use, safety, they pay for yearly professional cleaning each year they are there, etc.  

Is your DSCR ratio greater than 1-meaning are you cash flowing (according to the lender's criteria of mortgage, property taxes and insurance (and HOA) if applicable).

Plus I didn't include the Taxes and insurance for an ADU.IMO, it makes sense if you have the right sized property and a willing to think long-term.

The reality is that insurance will cover your 16-year-old's accident.

You want to be on the short list and then out work everyone else to land the listing.The 'top agent' question was more for the more experienced agents on this thread to voice their opinions on what influences that decision making process.Not an expert but there is a reason that brokers invest so much in making up good sounding names (e.g.