First and foremost, as you're changing out the locks on the doors, install doorbell cameras on the exterior to cover entrances in/out of the property.  

The servicer may have their own fees, rules, and disclosures.Agent crosses a line to disclose rates, legal ins and outs, terms, and disclose the loan which even a broker license doesn't cover.

It sounds like you have this covered. 

I also have another unique option where I could sell off portions of my equity at $50 increments with a 3% fee - but I would also proportionally lose any cash flow and appreciation - so I'm not fully convinced that's a good option - although I understand I can try to use the equity sold to get higher returns, but I'd need to at minimum, cover the cash flow returns I've lost through the sale.

If it brings enough to cover taxes, interest, legal fees and auction expenses, plus some extra, the people with redemption rights share the "extra." 

Hi Melvin,Origination charges = 0 [Covered completely with lender credits]Services you cannot shop for = 2725 [This is the VA funding Fee]Services you can shop for AKA title work = 1723Total Loan Costs A+B+C = 4448Taxes and government fees = 3279 & G Prepaids and initial Escrow at closing = 10007Total cost including escrow = 14455

Should I expect the painter to cover the cost or is that something I should cover? 

I do have an umbrella policy to cover all my assets but that has nothing to do with what replacement cost is to having full coverage on a property.ThanksDaria

(Note, we did get a grant for these to cover some of the costs, but spending government money (even if it is free) with out benefits is irresponsible and against my code. 

You don't think they will want their insurance, which I assume they've been paying out of pocket for many years since the house was build and owners never paid, to cover the cost of a new roof and fix the leak which appears to have been there since the house was built?