i bought one last year with cash. 

The conversation, as well as this decision, left me wondering how many insureds are denied policy coverage and cannot afford to bring a suit against the insurer and are unable to recover their loss.

I run sum numbers for you please see comments below before refinancing and post refinancing .If I were in your position, I would approach it as follows:Initial Investment Assumptions: Market Value: $360,000 Purchase Price: $360,000 Equity: $0,000Financial Breakdown: Hard Money Loan (LTV 100%): $360,000 Interest Rate: 10% (30-Year Amortization) Monthly Payment: $1,995Upfront Costs: Origination fee (1%): $3,600 Closing Costs (3%): $10,800 Renovation Costs: $10,000 2 Month of Carrying Costs During Renovation: $5,390Total Upfront Required: $29,790Total Capital InvestmentPurchased price $360,000 Upfront Costs $29,790Total: $389,790To make this investment work, you need to rent the whole property for at least $3,165/month, refinance it let say after one year with 5% interest with a traditional mortgage.Year One Rent: Monthly Rent Income: $3,165 Monthly Rent Losses during renovations (2 Months): -$6,330 (-$527/month distributed over 12 months) Total Rent Income: $31,650 per year => $ 2,638 per monthMonthly Expenses: Hard Money Loan Payment (10% Interest): $1,995 / per month interest only Property Tax (Assuming $3,000/year): $250 per month Property Insurance (Assumption): $100 per month Utilities (Hydro, Gas, Water): $292 per month Assuming 0% Vacancy first year Assuming 0 % Repairs & Maintenance first year because unit has been recently renovated Total Monthly Expenses: $2,637Monthly Net Cash Flow: $1Post-Renovation Refinancing Strategy:So far, we’ve purchased the property, completed renovations, and rented it out.Next, you can approach the bank for a refinance to consolidate your initial investment of $29,790 plus your 360k debt into a mortgage.

I agree they had communication issues during a transition period that we dealt with, but things have improved from last year. 

Last month it was a free pizza at a brewery, the month before a free taco from a local restaurant, the month before a free beer at a different brewery.

Interest rates are high relative to house prices, this won’t last forever.  

They were very light and didn't last long. 

That is what I have done in the last three properties I have done, with no problems.

The real estate industry has changed a lot in the last 5 years and many real estate brokerages are going down the same path as commercial brokerages.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, if you have a competent CPA or bookkeeper they should be able to review your books and within minutes have a strong grasp on who gets a 1099 (spoiler alert, not every contractor gets one, I'll be annoyed if I get one since I'm structured as an S corporation) and the amounts to report.1099 filings are usually a loss leader for us, so if you're working with a professional make sure you take advantage of them filing everything for you.