The landscape has changed with institutional buyers, ibuyers, instant and uniform access to information, Zillow placing all home listings on the internet, tons of cash floating around, lenders pushing money like dealers push drugs, etc. 

You can also install motion-detector lights in front and back of the house to scare off anyone attempting to sneak up at night.

Try one of the sprinklers that is motion activated and works on deer. 

Terms are pretty uniform though some have a 15yr draw.

Need both security cameras, motion sensors, alarms and gated access.  

going through the motions will help you determine the parts of the process that you didnt know you didnt know.

@Cyndie Rogers Section 8 is not one uniform program, each market will have it's own PHA(s) that administer that program locally and each has their own rules and protocols.

Add to these benefits the following: low barriers to entry; high leverage via easy to obtain financing; centralized (most of the time, personal) decision (and control) making; stable and uniform 'product' standards; regulated sales/broker industry (NCREC). 

We are planning to move to a new home about an hour away by June 2024 so we are in the beginning stages of planning what is the right thing to do with our investment properties and primary now so we don't regret a missed-step after things are in motion or after the fact.

You need to consult with them on this. here is how it works  title company holds EM they only release with mutual instructions from seller and buyer and who is to get what. short of that they hold it for a period of time and then if the parties cant agree they will interplead the funds to the local court then you make a motion to get the funds back or the seller makes a motion to retain..