We had personal savings and put down 5% with a conventional loan.

Clearly I'm traumatized.The lesson I learned is its not MY money to be cheap with, its the property's money which should come from its repair reserves fund.Now instead of having 1 person do it all and stress me out, I go straight to the specialist for the task.

While I haven't personally experienced a tenant causing major fire damage, here are a few thoughts and suggestions based on what I've learned from the BiggerPockets community:First and foremost, I hope everyone is safe and unharmed.

I'm thinking I may need to seal/coat the exterior walls - one person I talked to thinks moisture may be coming in from the walls and getting sucked into the soft bricks.

I personally only buy STR'S where I would want to go on vacation. 

If you can't keep control of your personal finances, you are highly unlikely to succeed in real estate investing.

Call all the auction companies in your area and get on their mailing listing (make a personal contract with auctioneer associates - let them know that you are a buyer)  they will email you a list of up-coming foreclosure auctions.Your benefit by getting to the owner early, is that you may be able to 1.take over the mortgage by making up the back payments 2. get a deed signed, 3. take over the existing mortgage 4. advise the owner how to delay or stop the mortgage foreclosure 5.

Whenever someone files for bankruptcy, there is an automatic stay of all legal proceedings against that person. 

It can also handle inbound customer service calls & converses like a person rather than a robot.

Networking with industry experts can provide valuable insights and personalized services.