Also, how does one develop a comfort level while investing out of country?

I buy commercial properties anywhere in the country so i would want to know about other states laws. my guess is its the same in all 50 states. 

However, it would be up to the owner to file a small claims court case against the tenant for any damages.

Most people on this site are not fans of condo investing but the out of the country investors we deal with and manage for love them and have long term plans to hold them.

When you say the executor has not been finalized, do you mean the personal representative hasn't been named by the court yet? 

It was undoubtedly the appraisal That is the highest amount difference($100,000) I ever heard between selling price and appraisal  The agent who sold you the house, seller, can all be culpable but do to the small amount($2000) try small claims court I would file a complaint with the real estate board also .

Regarding the primer I hope you are aware that in California that if the correct amount of the security deposit is Not returned to the tenant that they can sue the landlord for the return of the security deposit, all court costs and expenses, and the judge may award the tenant the remaining amount of the security Plus up to 2x twice the amount of the security deposit if the Judge determines you withheld the security deposit in "Bad Faith"http://www.courts.ca.gov/1049.htm

If this went to court, you don't have a signature on any agreement with them, so how can they even name you?

Because I'm trying to figure out if there is any other way besides going down to the court house to get the addresses to the estates?.

Their lawyer told us if we do not fulfill every single request of theirs they will take us to court and the lease (from realtor association web site) is invalid.