Don't settle if you're not comfortable with a transaction. 

Usually they are looking to settle.

Spent a few weeks getting settled in to the neighborhood you are living in, (Getting your driver's license and car registered with the DMV) knowing where the grocery store is, et cetera. 

If you've been unable to do so using their phone or email, which you also acquired in their application, you'll have the option of reaching out to one of their contacts to let them know that you need to settle the balance for the tenants' security deposit, and request a current address - or ask the contact person to have the tenant contact you.

If you think the area you're in is well-suited for travelers, I would go ahead and get settled as an STR before regulations come sweeping in like V.G. said.

It's usually more about if they want to wait to receive the higher sale price or settle now for less and not so much about us.

You will get the deposit when the transaction settles and you don't want the tenant coming back later saying it was more.Try to get pictures of the property before the tenant moved in to establish move-in condition.

I'll update the thread on what we settle on.

How did you settle on Raleigh?

Once that is done and the dust has settled, you can go after the contractor (if you can find him) in small claims court.