This is unfortunately the downside with hiring full-service property managers; you lose complete control of your unit and finances.

Here's a map comparing income tax rates by state.Rent control: Never invest in any city that imposes significant limits on your ability to manage your own properties.

So, that is within your control.

On the Development risk side, I told her I would never put us into less than a breakeven deal potential.Development there are far too many moving parts even though our process control is broken down into bite sizes.  

Later, I received an email from VRBO stating that they could not lift the restrictions if we could not prove a disaster and that the cabins had actually flooded.These folks are out of control.

You can plug the device into the wall outlet and check the functionality of the wiring.

I do know there is no point worrying about something that is out of our control other than making sure you aren't over extended and if you have places you are thinking if selling in the next year or two-try to keep an eye out.I've leased cars where after 3 years it had lost almost 50% of it's new price.

I've been told both extremes by several different people, but that's crazy to hold the agent responsible when they're forcing this arbitrary rule just so they can go after agents and brokers for something they had zero control over.  

Further, these “asset protection” methods are under constant creditor attack through the courts, meaning they are probably of benefit only a short period of time, UNLESS, true CONTROL of the asset is given up.  

What I struggle with today is how to attack it.Option 1, which was my original plan, was to get control of a $1-2MM property using mostly borrowed and possibly silent investor funds.