If they had a problem paying their previous landlord I doubt they have money to sue you.  

WE took down a 15x20 shed on cement block piers with steel I-beams across them.It surprised us that there was no cement between the blocks but 1" square steel posts inside each pier.The 'shed'  even had oak hardwood floors like those inside the1949 era home so we assume it was built then.. 

And yes, I had a minimum commission when I was doing this, but with a short sale the lender of course can set the max commission they’re willing to pay, and I doubt it would be in the $5k range.

That's a ridiculous clause and I doubt it would stand up in any court.

This may just be me (but I doubt it).......Why do you want to start doing business in a state that is so tenant friendly and landlord unfriendly?

And fake cement board that looks like asbestos siding for patch work is not cheap either.

I doubt that you could find an attorney in NC to honor your stated implementation.

Carpet tile is used all the time in the commercial world, but I still have my doubts about residential use.  

Unless the lease clarifies a specific standard, which I doubt, then they would only be responsible for like-for-like. 

But I doubt there will be an episode of mass evictions.