I want to be able to leave something behind for my family! 

Tenants will play games:1) Leave a minor home alone - no one should enter!

I have heard that leaving 1/4 " along the perimeter can help expansion issues. 

So if I’m understanding what I’m reading on 1033’s - house has mortgage of $350k and insurance policy is for $750k- leaving proceeds of $400k.  

Turn over cost when your tenants leave (check leases), marketing cost to add to the placement and monthly fees from PM, and utilities if those are provided by the landlord.What's your exit strategy?

This leaves a smaller balance disputed but if you do not pay them anything until its resolved, it could lead to issues if it goes to court.3.

So if someone tells you, it does not matter about liens behind you - it does.There’s one more ; the borrower has increased debt service and when it either turns negative or leaves nothing “in their pocket” they may lose interest in the property, decide to stop paying all mortgages, and put whatever income they can into their pocket until they lose the property to foreclosure or one of the lenders obtains a court order prohibiting such.   

After 99 Cents Only filed for bankruptcy in April 2024, 28 stores in Phoenix closed, leaving 632,900 square feet of prime retail space available.

As mentioned, I would leave it and use that as a storage closet.

@Danny Van Call Marilyn at the City Rental Dept. and she'll send you all the info you need.Be careful though, of leaving the house vacant for more than 6 months.