My realtor is also well versed in the off market stuff, to help alleviate the competition issue. 

An Assistance Animal is an animal that does work or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support or other assistance that alleviates one or more symptom or effects of a person’s disability.Please complete this form completely and return it to us.

Although this may not alleviate your current situation, it establishes a proactive approach to prevent similar incidents.Several years later, I encountered a recurrence of the issue with different tenants.

They want a big down payment as well, basically enough to alleviate a financial issue, and enough for a downpayment on the next purchase.

Having large cash reserves can also help alleviate the risks. 

Even with a handyman, I feel compelled to oversee or follow up on the work, which doesn't really alleviate my stress.The core of my issue seems to be a mental one, rather than purely logistical.

This is most likely because they're not required to be trained by a professional and owners with disabilities are permitted to train their own animals.The law states that housing providers can only ask the following: "Housing providers may ask individuals who have disabilities that are not readily apparent or known to the provider to submit reliable documentation of a disability and their disability-related need for a service animal....Housing provider may ask [applicant] to provide documentation from a physician, psychiatrist, social worker, or other mental health professional that the animal provides support that alleviates one or more symptoms or effects of the identified disability".You can read more here: https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?

I'm always looking to alleviate risk.

So, at best see what terms you can offer that can alleviate the risk. 

I agree, it seems in this market having the right connections is critical as a good contractor could alleviate many of my concerns in buying a distressed property.