I consider myself an "opportunity" investor as I will go with what I perceive to have the highest return combined with the lowest risk and least aggravation.

We don't do appts, special showings, take requests, put out signs, we just put it on Craigslist, tie it to the website and handle inquiries via email which eliminates a huge aggravation factor.

If you do it for free because you're grateful for your relative putting up the money, over time as you deal with the aggravations of property management, you might come to regret that decision.I don't think there are any specific tips for Providence specifically.

I wouldn't be so aggravated and distraught over paint.

Less aggravation, cash for a vacation home or cash for living in a new location.

Aggravating? 

She cannot be expected to sit and research every possible contingency of course, but if you get the info on the property you can start digging from where you are (Now that you know what can go sideways) and perhaps save yourself the expense and aggravation of travelling for nothing.

I guess I can outright ignore the threats, but I feel that this will cause the other party to continue to get aggravated and angry, leading us down this path to court anyway.  

You're right Patricia, much better for him to bear the cost in money, time and aggravation then taking the relatively simple step of filing a claim with the company that accepted a premium in return for issuing insurance for this matter. 

Expect a higher return on paper and expect to fully earn that higher return in real life with the trade off being time, patience, and aggravation.