Not sure why, but some people like to get emotionally charged when they don't need to. I

If I don't have to, I wont.  

Now upon closing the contract on the home, we (me, wife, lawyer) set some things straight to I didn't get screwed without lube. 1) The seller had to pay us upon closing $6,000 to us, for future missed rent, and some other things. 2) Also, $35,000 of the sellers money went into escrow, just in case for some reason we only end up getting a C of O for a single family.8 months later, still no C of O, and I missed out on thousands in rent.

The only thing the LL has a right to is payment of rent due or possession of the property. 

I'm an architect and work in the tech department of a giant construction management firm, think 1M sq ft industrial/commercial projects and the only thing I can guess that you are referring to is a 3d laser scan, which is way to cost prohibitive to do for flipping/remodeling.

But if you live in the area and are able to I think you should strongly consider listing it yourself, as @Curt Smith said you will gain valuable experience and you are motivated to get a good tenant, an agent is incentivised to get the place filled and get his fee. 

All rented except the one in New Orleans that I use as a second home and place for my parents when they are in the US.My job in Europe has now ended and I am in a state of transition--don't really want to return to the corporate world, but think I may have to.  I

If so, how do I legally do this and what documentation to I provide to escrow in order to be compensated?  

Right, I don't have this clause currently in my lease and leave it to the tenants to do what they need to. I

@Kyle M.What you are likely referring to is that with real estate purchased outside of a tax-sheltered vehicle, depreciation can taken be against taxation on income.