But he has to prove harm, which isn't his intent.....he just wants a settlement.

There is no harm in asking.

Any tenant who attempts to cause emotional harm to their landlord can be sued; even just writting about it on the internet is cause for legal damages!! 

I know there is a lot to be gained for doing the flipping yourself but DH and I struggle to find the time to put into them and I'm afraid the amount of time they'd spend vacant would do more harm than the improvement value.

It only grows on organic materials and needs lots of water.Also, there are thousands of different types of mold and only a handful are harmful.

I would like to say that putting properties under contract with no ability nor intention to close, then walking if not assigned, harms sellers.

WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT OUR SERVICES OR THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED ON THE SITE OR ANY MATERIALS OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR FREE, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, OR THAT THE SITE OR THE SERVER THAT MAKES IT AVAILABLE IS FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS.

This is your survival instinct, i.e. your ego, kicking in to keep you from harm.  

That can range from a spike in input costs such as sudden rise in the price of oil or corn to a shift in sentiment that could generate new legislation that either aides or harms a company. 

The Saudis at times have increased or held steady oil production to harm the Iranians and they could be doing it now, but for what particular reason right now?