So he won't have proper landlord references.. 

Something I need to conduct proper due diligence on and run by my RE attorney possibly.

Aaron's right that you can't change a tenant's payment methods without proper notice per state law.  

Bank employees reported that at different times an account signer would identify himself by presenting driver’s licenses from different states bearing significantly different names, and signatures executed in significantly different handwriting styles"....

When you get to court and they tell the judge that they were withholding rent because of repairs that you did not do the judge will determine whether or not they followed the proper procedure.

I'll seal off ducts and both properties will all end up with solid wood and tile floors, so limited areas for chemicals (or bugs) to linger.Biggest issue really is just in getting the projects scoped properly over the next couple of weeks before I close - otherwise, I will be dragging the schedule longer than I had hoped.

Once the leases are up you can ask the tenant to vacate with proper notice.

After 6 months to a year I would like to execute a cash out refi on the investment property.

I am learning the area so I need a someone who is familiar with the area and proper steps to take.

There is lack of properly zoned land for these ventures, and when you find it... it is expensive as hell.