People who haven’t lived long enough underestimate the risk of being wiped out from a change in the housing market, stock market, divorce, and unexpected loss of job.

They were older and it was not unexpected.

I'm currently going through an early lease break and luckily I filled it quickly, however, it was unexpected (1 month into 12 month lease) and I'm updating my lease for the next tenant.

My wife is a real estate agent, and it's been on the MLS since mid September as well.I post new ads almost daily on Craigslist, and have tons of ads on Postlets, as well as all the other outlets, and a video tour on YouTube, and signs in the yard. 

If it's because they ran into an unexpected windfall, then you might want to look for other factors that show they'll be financially responsible enough to pay rent when the first year is up. 

Make sure they are not running any grow lamps or the neighbors have not tapped into an outlet and buried a cable underground.Make sure they don't leave the doors open too.They might be trying to scam you or put the thermostat too high.

Add to that the missing garbage disposal outlet.

Also lots of outlets.

If you load up your HELOC and life drops something unexpected, you always have the ability to use the money building in your HELOC for that unexpected expense instead of towards the next mortgage lump sum.I hear the argument that you could be better served using that extra money to invest into new cashflowing properties.  

If cold air eventually works it's way in through the exterior siding due to wear and tear, you will start to have issues like drafts coming out of outlet covers, from underneath baseboards, and from behind window trim/molding.