The squatters threatened the landscape  personnel who were simply trimming trees which were objectively hazardous.  

And for these newer companies I have to guess they simply have not encountered or planned on failing projects so its all new to them on where what why and how to deal with it. 

Those folks simply can't be relied upon to relay inquiries, showing requests, etc or to put your best foot forward.  

I'm definitely the "play it safe" type, which is why the buy-and-hold strategy appeals to me, and because this is all new to me I want to "start off slow", but I am open to hearing thoughts on other options I could consider as well.Put simply, if you were in my shoes, what would you do with that capital and now with one property under your name (if buy-and-hold is the most appealing strategy to you)?

Or simply prospects?

Also, as both NC houses are paid for, is it a better idea to simply cash flow post-rehab or sell? 

I leaned doing business in Texas everyone surveys before closing. out in the west we rarely do that unless its acreage or some other special circumstances we simply would not have enough surveyors to keep up with resi transactions in a timely manner.. but I can see in Texas were the land use rules and no building codes or lax ones and no licenses required years ago.. that you need to do this.. you opened my eyes on that one. 

I figure that everyone has a cellphone these days and if a guest drops by then they can simply call the tenant when they have arrived to be let in.

Or would it be better to simply partner with them, they are friends of mine, with the repairs for a percentage of the profit?

Now we can get to your comment on the last paragraph; I simply asked a question and asked for advice from the community.