Confirm with your CPA to ensure proper application of these losses.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

@Dave Charron, just a guess but perhaps the company wasn't properly insured or the guy wasn't an on the books employee and also the company probably has no suitable assets that can be sold off to collect against them. 

Excited to be here to learn how to invest in real estate properly.  

Be sure to look up proper contractors in your journey.

A few properties are still registered, you can check them here: https://aca-prod.accela.com/COC/Default.aspxIf you do not have a rental registration, you cannot evict, and eventually they're going to start throwing out fines.To get a rental registration in Cleveland Proper you will need the following:  - links attached 1.

If tenant wants to use credit card, Zillow charges the tenant the additional processing fee, so you still get your full rent amount.

I have Proper insurance, tailored to short term rentals. 

Properly and professionally managed property in Texas has meters for every unit.Again, I'll point out meters are well under $100 each.

Did the tenant give proper notice before vacating?

I'd also mention that with winter coming, you need to make sure everything is working properly.