You should be able to get a license by uploading a proof of ownership like a settlement sheet doc HUD or ALTA. 

Their settlement, from what Google tells me, amounted to less than 50 cents a person. 

Maintain proper records - Contracts, Settlement Statements, Agreements, Promissory Notes etc.Additionally, youcan track income and expenses consistently, using software or spreadsheets.As you scale, ifbookkeeping isn't fun for you, consider hiring a bookkeeper for a couplehundred bucks per month.

The original seller whined about not getting any money out of the settlement.Ocwen had two years of legal fees and a non-performing note and had to pay a settlement amount with an NDA.The buyer understood how the system works and used it wisely.

According to the IRS (and not someone's opinion), carpet is depreciated over 5 years:https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p527.pdfLook on p9 in the box.Therefore, I would counter them at the 5 year depreciation calculation and GET IT IN WRITING as terms of the settlement so they don't come back on you.Pet smells have a way of coming back no matter how the carpet was cleaned, so I can understand the replacement.

Sometimes, there are even settlements where the parties agree to split the baby and draw a new property line in between. 

And their roof loss settlement is "variable by roof age", not actual replacement cost, nor depreciation adjusted (most insurances will hold the depreciation portion of a claim till the repair is done and only then release the funds).Make sure you compare apples to apples when shopping around, pay attention to what they give you for "free", what deductibles apply and when exactly you can get coverage from the insurance and to what limits.

The settlement isn't even a done deal. 

After my recovery I did 12 months of market research (biked, drove neighborhoods, walked properties), and used some settlement money to buy a distressed property under market value.

If it does then you either get your own survey and hope it shows something different, comply with the neighbor's request or negotiate a settlement, say an easement to you for the encroachment.