This could save thousands, but might add so much red tape that it may not be worth. 

Then see what happens with the pipe, you may be ok, or it may be an easy 'cut-out and replace a section' kinda thing....How deep is it?

Do you think this storm will cause prices to finally decline in the once red hot short-term rental market in Florida?

Do you prefer to have an open "application period" to collect applications and then make a decision based on the "most qualified" or do you take the first qualified, even if on a personal level they put off some red flags.

I am worried that my property expenses will leave me in the red because of the current costly housing market.

The barrier to entry is much lower, competition is less fierce, and the returns are often higher, especially for buy-and-hold strategies like yours.Since you’re considering investing out of state, I recommend focusing on one or two markets and really diving deep.

There are people with deep pockets and lawyers about to go after him and them! 

Thus, leaving $60,000 available for the note holder to claim.I did not sell the note to Ben (who offered me $30k for it which again another red flag).

Are there red flags I should be looking out for?

We used to leave a bottle of Proseco and sometimes a bottle of French red wine.