I suppose I can talk to my insurance agent, but I'm not sure if allowing smoking with oxygen nearby would be considered negligence or otherwise invalidate coverage in the event of a fire.

A lot of people aren't aware that a a landlord can file a claim against the tenants insurance company in cases of negligence.

Whether or not this is because of the negligence of the portal or because that's the nature of investing is something that I am sure will get argued forever.  

If it's caused by their negligence, then they will be billed for it. 

The damaged tenant could bring a negligence suit claiming the landlord didnt exercise reasonable caution.

I feel she tried to sweep it under the carpet to protect her negligence of the parking lot care.

Maybe it has the positive effect of creating more inventory for long term renters but that seems negligible. 

But, if you don't buy anything, or buy something so cheap the commission is negligible, this money you pay to your Buyers Agent will get you the time, services and attention of a Realtor.  

Further, I would suggest interest only loans, since the net effect of the interest minus inflation would be negligible.  

I've only been doing this a little over a year and have already learned this hard lesson twice (and it wasn't due to negligence on my part, but just the natural course of being in this business).