Things like Knob & Tube or Aluminum wiring, in ground tanks, tenants with certain breeds of dogs, proximity to a coast, etc. are all factors that could limit the companies that will insure you or raise the cost.Feel free to PM me if you need more info on any of this. 

Start there and learn as much as you can in the mean time.

I hope to learn as much as I possibly can in these coming months before making my first investment. 

Continue to read as many blogs, books and articles as you can in order to educate yourself on the topic and to reach out to those that are doing what you want to do!

We try to make the units appear very high end using inexpensive materials where we can. In

Without my knowledge and consent, the tenant brought in a pit bull (or similar breed).

What breeds?

I recently watched the @Brandon Turner and @David Greene webinar on the 90-day call to action for real estate investing and have since begun to analyze as many deals as I can in my spare time. 

(such folks are called syndicators... the highest breed of individuals who are pretty much very smart.. and know if deal makes sense or doesn't... these are the folks that are also connected with other people...... these are the folks who you want to also get in touch with and stay connected.... )  Note however.. that sometimes... relying on other folks to be the ones to give you money... just for you having your boots on the ground.... indeed can be very difficult journey... but believe me there are passionate folks out there who like to analyze deals, but do not have trustworthy individuals with boots on the ground... and looking for some sort of mutual relationship in their journey towards financial freedom..You see... it's all about the value that you provide... to others.. and reasoning as to why they should be associated with you...

Right now, our focus is saving up as much as we can in the next year to prepare for all of the costs you've described.