Maybe with automatic payment stuff and you can request changes to your credit card due dates, you can take as much advantage of the float. 

or just take my own pic when they arrive to move in?

@Jim Bouchard agreed with everyone just normal wear and tear, it happens. we just leased a brand new construction home and they've had like 4 things we've had to send someone out for (luckily all under warranty), but sometimes that stuff just happens.

Not this crazy stuff you see on TV.  90% of S.O. that are looking for rentals specially if it is a higher price like say $1,000 or more are serious people that are trying to rise above the muck and be a better person. 

Second position lienholder have done some shady stuff in order to delay a loss, including filing suit against all parties or trying to obtain a temporary restraining order.

Although only light "fixing"-- mostly cosmetic stuff. 

Quote from @Bob Carter: I’ve been with them about 8mos and definitely some strange stuff going on.

Not being in the hard money world myself, there's also a bunch of compliance stuff that would need to be worked through that I don't know about.

I sent them a text with an informal notice that if I don't hear back from them about the changes in their arrival plans and don't receive the first months rent by tomorrow I will presume they no longer plan on taking possession of the property at which point I will make a formal legal notice.

Quote from @Conrad Tillman: Quote from @Jay Hinrichs: LOL  its kind of like 50 ways to leave your lover.And its very much dependent on your jurisdiction. however I will list the stuff I have gone through the last decade or so through about 200 new builds in 4 markets.1. material price fluctuations. rarely down almost always up pretty much annually. 2. as we all know labor  scarce  and or unqualified and do poor work..