I would guess that you'll need to be a licensed Realtor or Broker and you'll need a business license and jump through all the hoops that starting a business entails. 

It is both giving back to community, establishing goodwill, and asserting myself as a subject matter expert (I cringe to say that).  

In speaking in extremes, higher cashflow often entails more long-term risk (just like the stock market).

I would tell them assertively that the technician has been out, it is a new appliance, he has tested the temperature and it complies with the manufacturer's guarantee and leave it like that. 

Better to run the numbers in a worse case scenario as well to account for everything REI entails. 

I don't fully understand the MEC limits yet and what that entails.

If you hire a property manager, you still have to manage that person and make sure they do a good job.If you invest passively in a syndication it can be a great way to learn, whether you decide you want to continue to be totally passive, or you decide you want to get involved on the GP side of things eventually...if you lean towards the later, you should really make sure you are investing with a sponsor who is responsive and will be available to answer your questions/mentor you - you should be assertive and look for opportunities to get more involved, like asking to join them on property tours and listen in on their calls with property management.I personally love syndication because when you invest with a reputable syndicator, you are trusting an expert to do what they are good at.

I’ll consult an eviction attorney to see what removing the tenant entails.

I agree with your assertion that there is an issue here, but I’m not sure remote appraisals are the answer.

@Mike Schorah Starting up a capital intensive business entails serious financial risk.