Why not simply contact these landlords for a reference and deny based on that to protect yourself and also ask the applicant about the circumstances surrounding those cases.

I will go back to the drawing board and see what other strategies I can deploy given the current circumstances.

I am sure a great number of first-time investors will be running for the exit under these circumstances.

Hello all.  I was just logging in to check posts and stumbled across an old post that I made a few years back.  You can find it here:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/702124-first-...Well things have chan...

I self-managed for a year but am now unable to due to circumstances.

With a "facts and circumstances" test This article can. help: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p523#:~:text=If%20you%20own%20and%20live,factors%20are%20relevant%20as%20well.Please discuss this with your accountant, as your facts and circumstances will matter greatly here! 

If it's still there the next day, dispose of it by whatever means necessary.Your state also has laws for property left behind by a tenant that moves out under ordinary circumstances.

This is actually a great way to start, but there are some implications of in fact this is your intent, as opposed to your intent being for this to remain your personal residence but your circumstances changing.  

Facts and circumstances can change things of course!

I am reassured to hear that what we are seeing is not much different from other, similar firms making similar offers under similar circumstances.