It starts with late payments and excuses, then it becomes non payments and squatting, and it often ends with the tenant threatening the landlord with lawsuits (regardless of whether they have a legitimate claim), and trashing the property when they leave.

This means that you will probably need to pay registration and filing fees in at least 2 states if you don’t buy CA property as a CA resident.Any lawsuits should be limited to the assets of the LLC and not your personal assets (assuming you run the LLC appropriately and the corporate veil is not pierced, some debate as to SMLLC).

I would file a lawsuit over a $30k issue

A lawsuit can take more than a decade and even if you win, you only recover damages an attorney fees (topped).

@Nick BelskyLooks like they have been around a while - do a google search on them for see if any lawsuits.

For 300k you can possibly find either a duplex or a house that had a mother in law suite or you can go the usual roomate route and share a kitchen and other common areas.

If you are discovered, as a few landlords recently were, you could not only face a lawsuit from your tenants where they could recover the increased rent they paid, moving costs, etc., but you may be liable for punitive damages. 

Or they have to file a lawsuit at Houston.

The old law stated that if a tenant didn't prevail in an eviction lawsuit within 60 days, their names get revealed and can be collected by tenant screening companies.The new law says that the names get reported only if the landlord wins within 60 days, or if the landlord wins after trial if longer than 60 days.  

I can't speak on how demo is done in certain states but from what I could tell you being a license contractor here in NY and you being in NJ which should not be much difference is do the following steps.1- have them demo and take everything plumbing and electric.2- the only scrap metal you should keep is copper, but also negotiate with the demo grew to reduce some cost if they want the copper, all other scrap metals are not word it.3- has for the electric, just have them leave you 2 plugs because that's all you need until you update all your electrical. mostly all power tools are cordless so I doubt you will blow a fuse and you don't need any light because you work will be done during the day.ALSO NOTE: do not have anybody mess/touch/remove with any electrical panel or any electrical box, leave that for a license electrician to do because thats a big safety issue that could bring a lawsuit if a non-license electrician gets any injury for attempting to do so.