@Nick Wight I would make sure to get 3 bids, check out their current/past projects in person, and do all the other due diligence necessary before hiring anyone (criminal/civil record, insurance, etc.).

Make sure their criminal history checks out.Another key factor is employment history.

Most of the District Justices won't even handle an eviction for a tenant of a tax sale property,citing that there is no landlord tenant relationship between the tenant and the tax sale purchaser.

Does the sponsor have a criminal record or civil judgment on mishandling investor-money?

It won't go well unless you are this type of LL and accustomed to dealing with druggies and criminals.

I'm wondering what services you all use to screen tenants in Seattle, in order to conform with the "second chance" law preventing criminal background checks (or even asking questions about criminal history). 

Some are drawn to the criminal lifestyle, some got on the wrong track for a only a short while, and some made one mistake that cost them dearly.

Criminal element handling depends on the situation.

I also recommend downloading the ring app for the city you're looking in or using spotcrime to see criminal activity.If you decide to look in Durham I'd be happy to help!

Regarding any potential legal action, I come from a law enforcement background, so I am trying to look at it from a criminal and civil law issue.