I've found a reputable builder who quoted $110K to rehab the burnt house, including expanding it to 1,200 sqft.

I guess I'm looking for mentoring from someone who's track record and reputation line up with my values and what I want to achieve.

We feel this doesn’t protect us from tenant damage (e.g., stolen smoke detectors, fire extinguishers) or cover costs for anything beyond normal wear and tear.

Aside from the obvious dangers, I’m seeking best practices and how experienced investors  in this area handle hurricane damage?

This property in particular had some additional unforeseen costs (main water line damage, sewer line damage, etc.) that certainly caused us to go way over budget.

If you can't take criticism, you should quit all business and hide in the sand.What to take from this post, which always goes bonkers when people try to play, is that there is a better way to do things on here and in turn, that will help these agents get better business and build a better reputation and not tarnish a whole company's profile because they spam. 

AND with STRs you have no risk of evictions (which can get to be real expensive depending on the area)  and most damages that guests do are covered by insurance (either through the rental platform it was booked through or sometimes the property management firm has added insurance too).As someone that build a large long term rental portfolio here in Illinois (I still have 40+ houses here) and somebody now building a portfolio in tennessee, I would definitely recommend looking at new construction in some of these str areas. 

These are reputable people who stand behind the properties they find and are reliable for ensuring a smooth transaction.

If the investor fails to make payments, it could damage the seller’s credit, even if they've relinquished control of the property.Insurance Issues: A change in ownership might affect the property’s insurance policy.

Even a small claims court option might help you recover some damages later on.It’s definitely a tough situation, but focusing on getting a clear bid for the remaining work and being upfront with your lender could provide the best path forward.Wishing you the best with this—stay strong!