I know that there have been a few cities in Utah Co and Salt Lake Co that have been modifying their laws regarding STR or vacation rentals in the last couple of months.

Mother in law tends to cashflow better than duplex for an owner occupied in the Salt lake valley and surrounding areas.  

Take my post with a grain of salt. shop around and don't be afraid to ask questions of the agents and read the 10 plus page policy before you buy.To answer your question: I use USAA insurance whenever I can.

@Ashok Aletty I am not an attorney, so take this with a grain of salt, but honestly if you are worried about liability an Umbrella Insurance policy is significantly cheaper than the $800 LLC filing fee you will pay each year and you do not need to transfer title, etc.

However, in the case where you are looking to invest so far from where you live, there may be enough value in knowing that the HOA is covering at least some items and is certainly (if worth their salt) keeping an eye on things re the neighborhood.Everybody seems to say that their market is a competitive one...not many people say that their market is extremely uncompetitive and that deals are falling off trees like leaves in Autumn.You can look at the MLD median points for the 32 zip codes in Wake County and learn that Cary's median over the last 12 months for SFH is $271K, Garner (SE Raleigh) is $151,200, and start to realize the probable price points of THs (which will be lower than the SFH). 

My friend has dismissed their threats of taking legal action in the past on things like no salt on sidewalks while it is still snowing....but what if?

If they tell you to rub salt or ask for help you have two options.1)  File an eviction notice 2) File an eviction notice and tell them if they are out before it is completed you will withdraw it. 

That's my $0.02, w/o any experience with  student  rentals, so take it with a grain of salt :)

Definitely get one, but much like the credit report, be prepared to take things with a grain of salt.

http://www6.homedepot.com/tool-truck-rental/Mold_F...The spray is salt based and 100% not toxic.Done right, all of the above is under $500 bucks and should cost you less than 1 day of your time.