The spring inspection is the light one focused on mainly smoke detectors.

(a) Security deposits for residential dwelling units shall be permitted only for the following:(1) The tenant's possible nonpayment of rent and costs for water or sewer services provided pursuant to G.S. 62-110(g) and electric service pursuant to G.S. 62-110(h).(2) Damage to the premises, including damage to or destruction of smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms.(3) Damages as the result of the nonfulfillment of the rental period, except where the tenant terminated the rental agreement under G.S. 42-45, G.S. 42-45.1, or because the tenant was forced to leave the property because of the landlord's violation of Article 2A of Chapter 42 of the General Statutes or was constructively evicted by the landlord's violation of G.S. 42-42(a).(4) Any unpaid bills that become a lien against the demised property due to the tenant's occupancy.(5) The costs of re-renting the premises after breach by the tenant, including any reasonable fees or commissions paid by the landlord to a licensed real estate broker to re-rent the premises.(6) The costs of removal and storage of the tenant's property after a summary ejectment proceeding.(7) Court costs.(8) Any fee permitted by G.S. 42-46.Keep in mind that you still have the obligation to notify your former tenant of the status of his security deposit within the required time frame for North Carolina.Gail

Emergency Contacts and Guidelines If something needs to be repaired or replaced:Please contact xxxx, LLC by sending a text message to xxxx at 303-xxx-xxxx.If you do not receive a timely response, please also try 303-xxx-xxxx.Fire, medical, or police emergency:If it is an emergency call 911.Please replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as needed and leave them and the fire extinguisher(s) in place.

Sounds like dominoes, house of cards or smoke and mirrors to me.

Pre-screen with lots of questions about how much they smoke, how many animals, etc.   

However, I did notice there was a dog in the unit (current lease stated no pets), and it wasn't clear in the lease if smoking was or was not permitted.The tenant also asked me if I planned to renew their lease ending early next year when I take over the property.These may be very newbie questions, but here's where I am struggling:1. 

It's also great to be able to hear them talk to each other, if it's a couple, or to see who they bring with them, and do they smell like cigarette smoke, etc.Good luck.  

if it's a bad property and you shouldn't be in it, well then that says it allif you have no cash, maybe take on an equity partner on the property to give you cash to rehab and max the property out.. ie you give me 20k cash to fix this, I give you the extra rents for x time, include an option to buy out partner on your terms.if you can't evict as LLC and can take the loan, why not transfer title to you, evict, transfer back, smoke cigar.or maybe just get out pal.. you seem in over your head.. best of luck

I'd double check that statement with some independent verification to make sure the realtor is not just blowing smoke.

And once the lease starts, if you discover you wished you'd written different parking rules, or put in a different rule about how long guests can stay or smoking on the property, etc., etc., you are stuck.