I am not even going to ask you whether you were listed as additional insured under the contractors insurance policy.

Or can you pick up some additional contiguous land for cheap, and put your retention basin on that land?

I would pick 3 gc's off of google with good reviews and go from there 

Create your own list of rules and regulation.

We also put in the listing that the renters also have the option of renting the whole unit if they'd like to.

Now creating a list of General Contractors that I can seek to lead the rehab and happily bring them more business afterwards by referring them to a network of real estate agents and investors. 

Pick a driving radius.

I ended up negotiating the price down using cash and got the property literally for 50% off the list price. 

I'm just starting out with my first STR so I'm really relying on good reviews and guest experiences to get more exposure on the listing platforms!

If your lease doesn't list a termination fee, then you don't get to make one up as you go and you can't apply the deposit to a made-up charge.You have almost 60 days to advertise and find a replacement tenant.