BTW, that also gives me a bit of insight into their progress as they pack up and leave, and any damage they may have caused.

I would focus on screening your tenants for background, credit, and income to try to avoid an eviction and excessive damage to your property to minimize your turnover expenses and vacancy loss.  

We have bought many appliances from lowes that had minor cosmetic damage but were heavily discounted.

Purchase price: $265,000 4 Bed 2 bath SFR with fire damage.

The concepts are still exactly the same but it can be much more difficult.They are supposed to lose their Section 8 voucher if they leave with a balance, either due to damages or non payment of rent, so that can be a silver lining. 

And if the damages exceed the security deposit I could take them to court to try to collect funds from the tenant.

I inherited a tenant in one of my properties and they reached out to me the other day and told me about damage in the bathroom.  

However, the idea of maintenance calls, risk of damage to the property, etc. doesn't excite me.  

Are you in a density neighborhood with adjoining lot walls, risk of adjoining property damage ie rowhouse etc?