After getting burned on a few small jobs, I was hoping the BP community could help me out before I start bigger jobs.

@Terry Lao if it helps to not burn as bad....MAYBE they did fix something that isn't visible from pics or the exterior...like plumbing, sewer, electrical, mold etc. 

Maybe I’m not understanding things correctly, but wouldn’t the risk of a major fire coming through again be lower since much of the old kindling has now been burned?

I know a buyer broker that would go right around the listing agent and work directly with the seller and the listing agent is then out like the fat kid in 5th grade dodge ball if they pull some of the nonsense you hear about.Generally, the poor Buyers Agent is limited as to what they can do for fear of having the listing agent file a complaint on them with FREC (Florida Real Estate Commission)But as a Florida Mortgage Broker, I'm not subject to FRIC, FRAC or FREC and have no problem going straight to the seller if needed or ask by my borrowers. 

My property burned down, no insurance, the fire department order fences, I can't afford the bill and the property is worth $4,000.

Get a list of sold comps, drive by them, study the figures and burn them into your mind. 

My 10 unit cash-flow only went up $1700, but it was a fat payment with a low balance (old loan) so it was messing with my DTI.  

You'll never see a fat roofer.2.

Any landlord can get burned out by todays tenants. 

Cramer Guzaldo In terms of making sure your properties haven’t burned down or being abused have your attorney write a clause in the lease agreement a “required maintenance” every so often.