This may be because they do have more privacy to trash the place, and there is more square footage to trash per unit.You've discovered the podcasts; my other advice is to stay active on the forums, start thinking about what you want your landlording policies to be (don't just focus on property selection, but what you'll do after that), and set up some key word alerts to hear about the geographies or topics you are interested in.

The older buildings and value add type properties are generally underwritten with more risk hence the higher policy cost.

The title search and title policy are usually split, buy pays one the seller pays for one.

My recent tenant asked about the pet rent policy ($250 deposit and $25/mo per pet).

Your contractors should have their own policies that cover damaged/stolen materials throughout the construction process, but if somebody vandalizes the building or injures themselves on the property, you would be open to liability or cost of repairs.Hope that helps!

We have a $1M liability policy on each individual property.  

Every so often, I will ask about a rental cap and the management will give one, but then backtrack when you ask if this is the official policy of the association.

I would save up and invest every dime possible with the ultimate aim to use the money to buy rental properties when I return.  

I can't find this move-in/out policy (M-F,9-5) in condo's Rules and Regulations. 2.

Sometimes it's just policy, and a numbers game, and sometimes they know more than you do.