I've been burned in the past by paying thousands of dollars to gurus to help me learn this stuff and I'm not blaming my failures on those gurus because I simply didn't apply myself back then, but it was a ton of wasted money. 

I am currently taking the necessary steps that will free me from my W2 without burning bridges.

I would burn the place to the ground.. no f%&$k#ng way.

@Robert Melcher totally agree.... they've already burned the kitchen down and wouldn't own up to responsibility..... i doubt they'll start now.they've mysteriously also said the kitchen ceiling has chipping paint, and might be due to a dripping faucet, so I need to go now.....I'll probably make the preliminary diagnostic, and call in the plumber knowing they'll complain

I'm thinking they might have been burned in the past loaning money.  

While I was there I ran the central heat to burn off the dust that collects when a heating unit hasn't been run for 7 months.

Hey BP,As all of us in New England, Boston, Massuchusetts last winter was really cold and snowy.My tenants in my;-NON insulated- built in 1912 --1300sqft per unit w high ceilings -2 familywere very cold and burned thru some serious OIL.I worked with mass save this fall and have a quote for about $9500 to do the entire house.

If you didn't have insurance and the home burned to the ground - what would you do?

There is no crime or real danger like inner city stuff.. but the tenants are basically very low income.. so they cant afford much rent.. but you can buy homes for about 20 to 30k in those towns that will rent for 500 to 600 ... but they will never go up in value basically and if you choose poorly your capex will kill any profit.Do you have a burning desire to be a landlord... or is that just something you think you want or need to do.. there are many other avenues to make money in RE without dealing with tenants and taking on those risks.. not many people get rich owning a few rentals unless they are prime CA NY CHC  type assets. 

Will you need that protection, probably not, but your house probably won't burn down either and I am sure you are insured for that.