It’s a very good buffet and it normally costs $13-$15, so it’s a small discount to get some good food, learn, and network.

The best defense against rats entering your property is to seal off all entry points (holes, cracks in walls), remove food sources (dirty dishes, food left in trash cans), and water sources (like leaks). 

And if in yr 4, you SELL, and reap the reward of $100k in appreciation, now your "realizing a gain" from the appreciation gains. 

I presently have a negative cash flow  in all 3 properties but am more interested in paying off the mortgages early to reap rewards later.Any thoughts? 

Not every investor is willing to take on properties with these kinds of challenges, but if you can make it work, the rewards are huge.

In my mind, the liability and possibility of harming the seller outweigh the rewards.  

I do not think they regulate this strictly on other industries like food service, or even medical.Sounds like the mayor or city planner or someone "important" had a bad stay at a STR somewhere.

I'm sure y'all already knew that!

Spend the time, make the effort, and (hopefully) reap the rewards.

It wasn't easy and sure as hell was not as frightening as your journey, but it was rewarding nonetheless.