I still adhere to all the usual tenancy checks and screenings.I totally agree with the statements about looking for higher class tenants HOWEVER Las Vegas is a different market and my property is near Downtown in a low socio-economic area.The A++ tenants with college degrees aren't looking to rent in this neighborhood.I am personally dumbfounded by people who don't have a spare $1000-$2000 tucked away however my experience in the USA, what I've read and what I've been told shows that many people are living from paycheck to paycheck and don't have any savings.5 of my tenants in the USA get disability or some sort of monthly check from the government.

Not really a quick and easy answer on this one other than saying the government intervened via the S.A.F.E.

I've always ever heard a WOB was useful for getting government and other large contracts because they often have a woman and minority quota to fill, but am not sure how it is helpful in REI, unless lenders also have a quota. :) 

Managerial level on development/general contracting sometimes has its own frustrating days, I had the trouble of shifting from taking directions to driving the job and doing the books and compliance, though my case is different because we work with governments like school districts that a <100,000 project needs 300-500 pages just for closeout procedure.

That cost me a couple thousand on one deal.The broad principles governing liens (like foreclosure on first lien.mortgage wipes out second mortgage) are consistent across the country.  

All real estate is 'local'.... and the frothier the various markets become, the more 'local' you need to be to find the good deals.Fredericton, NB is similar to Kitchener-Waterloo - steady local economy (government and university with some IT sector) - no crazy run-up ... but no release yet either.  

My wife and I have almost no savings other than my government TSP.

I saw that you had stated that you had certain clauses within your lease contract governing pets and I have seen several thoughts on how to mitigate risk by keeping dogs to a specific size, breed, etc.

It's a great example of government incompetence.I also recommend you collect as much evidence as possible and consider taking the tenant to Small Claims or hiring an attorney to sue him.

Currently, I'm an attorney with the Federal Government.