We are fair housing compliant regarding animals.Our tenants’ safety and the peaceful enjoyment of their home is important to us, so we do a credit/criminal background check on all applicants aged 18+, as well as employment and prior landlord verifications.

Plus, having a fully paid-off property could be a nice safety net if the STR market takes a hit or occupancy slows down.On the flip side, if you’re eager to grow, saving for another property could be the better play.

Why can't I go into whole foods and steal their food without getting the police called on me?

We have not disabled ours or converted to gas, but Tenant must sign a Fireplace Addendum stating if they use it, we require a higher renter's liability policy with us as additional insured, rules on wood, storage, use, safety, they pay for yearly professional cleaning each year they are there, etc.  

With many advisers there is safety.  

Plus, I get to experience all kind of great people, food and culture in the meanwhile. 

However, in emergencies or cases involving health and safety, we would attempt to contact the owner first and, if unsuccessful, proceed with the repair as outlined in the contract.Regarding the hot water heater, do you know if it genuinely needed to be replaced?

The marketing/advertising firm, aka RE broker, is not the expert in building codes, zoning, structural engineering, neighborhood safety, etc.As a prudent investor, always do your own due diligence or you'll end up being (unitentionally) misguided by a RE broker's information.  

This is really what it should be as unsafe units should have to address the safety issues before they can be rented.  

If you want safety, pay off the property.