Save up money.

Get a bank statement to cross-reference their paychecks as most employers now direct deposit.You'll also see if they have a savings history or are living paycheck-to-paycheck.If they are not paying rent right now and have no savings, how well do you think they'll be able to adjust their budget, so they can pay rent on time?

.: Quote from @Theresa Harris: For your first question, how much will it save you on insurance and how likely are you to make a claim?  

You are already paying rent, so pay it to yourself to increase cash flow and accelerate savings for the next investment. 

Staging your house well can help you attract more attention from buyers, which ultimately helps it sell faster and maybe for a higher price than an unstaged home (see visual):What Are My Staging Options?

While metrics like square footage or price per square foot matter, the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and overall location are often more critical for attracting tenants.Engaging a property manager early on can save you from costly mistakes and help you invest in properties that perform well in the rental market.

Thanks for saving me from getting scammed.

Hi Kevin,It looks like you have some money saved, that's fantastic.

I purchased a duplex in Saginaw from them in late 2023 and should have seen the red flags from the start.An early red flag was when my contact Katee was doing a video walk-through of the property that I ultimately purchased.

Start with BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide (free).