If you do not have their Insurance info have your Insurance agent send the Builder a certified letter indicating that you be making a claim against their insurance for the damage. 

A cabinet painting business ran as a cash based sole-proprietor and I’m an insurance adjuster operating out of an S-Corp.

It's tough to say with certainty and it a lot of success in the MTR market hinges upon operating ability, property layout, understanding your clientele and ability to adjust to the market.This article does flag some cities that are good for MTRs: https://www.stessa.com/blog/hot-spots-medium-term-rentals/

Our housing prices are insanely high to begin with.We take adjustable rate mortgages at levels you would never see in the US.

Similar to the 15$ Big Mac, even inflation adjusted from 5$ should be around $8.50 so the gouging is greedy and it is real on all accounts.

Adjusting to a new city is hard enough without changing your standard of living.

If you fall into one of those buckets that would be good information to include here, if you are looking for education that can actually hold some water you could obtain one of the bigger pm certificates, Certified Apartment Manager (CAM), Certified Property Manager (CPM), Master Property Manager (MPM).

I have to show the comps chosen by the appraiser were not as good as other comps or the adjustments made by the appraiser were absurd. 

It's about adjusting expectations and maybe giving up on some of the "rules" for good deals.

Strongly consider using a Certified 203k Contractor.