I wouldn't negotiate or soften my tactic for a renter that feels they don't have to communicate with me or abide by the agreement.

If it's softened the bottom board, replace it yourself and move on.Water Heater:  Water heaters have a limited shelf life of 5-10 years, depending on your market's water condition. 

While there are some news about the market softening a bit, the market doesn't show any signs of prices lowering any time soon. 

Planned to move in as primary residence if market continued to soften but we sold.

It won't be some magical burst, but I definitely see a softening soon.   

I have a meeting scheduled w/ a Financial Planner but I'd love to learn from this community as well.I've briefly looked in to DST's because it would buy us some time to make decisions and let the market soften, but I'm not well educated (yet) on DST's and I don't love the returns.

Not softening at all in any of the 4 markets I am in.

Then if a tenant damages something or the rental market softens, take a month or two as a chance to make renovations.

Brandon Turner says it all the time "the real estate market might dip or soften but overall I truly believe real-estate will continue to appreciate" this is the exact same concept except on a lager scale. 

The previous tenant did not fill the water softener before leaving, so we had to hire for that.