I have written in my rules about background check and sign a lease.

Look for the signs of an area where you could live and be happy.

I've also seen hosts post of a photo with the direct booking URL on a sign, although I personally would not be comfortable doing that. 

It's interesting that many of these VC-backed PMC's, despite having 10k+ properties under management, aren't doing well financially - one of them just merged with another industry-related company also not doing well.Just for fun, here's a partial list of PMC expenses that owners pretend don't exist:Office rentComputers, printers & softwareInternet & phone billOffice furnitureOffice supplies: paper, postage, ink, etc.Office liability insuranceAuto expenses: monthly payment, insurance, gas, maintenance, registration/plate feesBroker license fees: annual, monthly board & MLS fees, continuing education fees, E&O insuranceEquipment: lockboxes, signs, etc.Business income tax preparation and paymentsStaff payroll & payroll taxes Time Tasks: answering phones, calling past due tenants, scheduling tours, taking marketing pics, processing those pics, writing ads, researching rent amounts, posting ads, explaining to owners how rent determined & showing where ad posted, opening & processing mail, posting payments, bank deposits, scanning documents & posting to owner & tenant portals, explaining accounting to owners so they understand their monthly statements, taking pics/videos of repairs, finding reputable handymen and contractors, confirming they're properly licensed & insured and tracking annually, verifying repairs done properly, processing invoices for utility bills, repairs, taxes, city inspections, scheduling periodic property evaluations/inspections with tenants that don't want strangers in their homes, explaining to owners why something is taking so long, and more & more & more...OBSERVATION: many owners only want to pay a flat fee or 50% of a month of rent as a leasing fee - without realizing the repercussions. 

Tenant wants to sign a two-year deal.

Owner Occupants do sign an addendum however saying that they will occupy for at least 1 yearAs far as selling "as-is" without inspections go .

We will not insure a water balance unless we have the proper documentation (which might not happen within days of getting a contract signed)  How do you protect yourself? 

Look out for any signs of water damage or structural issues too.

I have a finance degree and on took courses in real estate taxation, and still use a preparer to double check what I did, have him sign off on my returns as preparer.

About to sign purchase agreement with them when we came across the 2nd deal yesterday.