@Nathan G.Thank you, but if the service provider causes damage, I want to be able to choose the company that will fix the damage, and if the tenants are bound to pay that bill, they might disagree with my choice.

While I feel this is bad business and has just guaranteed that you will not be using their services again, if that is their policy and especially if you were aware then you are bound to it.  

Because you have the leverage, the $100/month reduction in rent for loosing driveway/yard and dealing with the construction is a joke.  

I would likely be looking to the Somerville, Bound Brook, Watchung area to stay in a reasonable distance to my work.

Once you have holes in the sheetrock, loose wires, cracked window panes, and so forth, the house will not fall nicely into "lendable" condition. 

Don't loose focus because you need $5K or something.

I don't want to involve a partner because I want to know first that I responsibly can do my first deal without the burden or stress of loosing someone else's money.

As I do more and more research to figure out my options, my main goal has become to loose the smallest amount of money possible.

Once you are in you are bound by the rules present and future . . . . be forewarned

This has been wearing on me and I don't want to loose my good tenants.