Several state level and local agencies are now providing assistance to homeowners for free to help them try to work on accommodations with the lenders.Jon

I accept the fee when I meet with them again in person to get the completed application and supporting documentation.The other method may work in a big city where people line up their accommodations remotely before they move from afar, but that would NEVER work where I am.

I learned from my past experiences that I am too accommodating when it comes to landlord duties.  

Just learn to be accommodating but fair and enforce your rental contract when you need to.So, if everything checks out, awesome.

My lease specifies 24hr notice (unless emergency) but I always try to accommodate the tenant's schedule if possible.Remember - Just because you may have the right does not mean it is the right thing to do.A happy tenant is worth a lot more in the long run.

He even modified an existing cabinet hole to accommodate my new double wall oven.  

The handful of rentals available that would accommodate us are between $1900 to $2400 per month.I am not familiar with the current market trend (UP or Down) in Paso Robles and there seems to be a very limited number of homes for sale (Which might be the reason the cost of homes is high).Either way, I have seen a few properties in the 330k-350k range that might end up being nearly the same monthly payment for a mortgage as the rent or $1900 to $2400.

Thus, even for myself, the most successful rental leases usually are associated with group housing where the shared expenses allow for easier accommodation.  

I have been referred to one local company that I am told can accommodate this type of project (replacement), Pius Kitchen and Bath (Seattle), and they have told me that I would be surprised at the low cost, but my concern is how quickly they can respond with pricing and delivery. 

@Tyler Brown, You're on the right track with the conversion from tic to LLC ownership to accommodate your partner's 1031.