My RE fire has been ignited!! 

One philosophy is the more irons in the fire the better, the other is that you have to pick a lane and stay in it.

I've contacted a few contractors who specialize in big projects and/or fire damage...

Looking back now, there was a truly incredible emphasis on "not screwing up your future," an immense fear of risk that carries over from high-school mind control, pushed into your brain by the people who work there, all of whom spent years getting along to worm their way into a unionized low-to-middle-income teaching job, in large part, by jumping through hoops and never doing anything that might lead to their getting fired out of a government union job, or, to put it as teachers do, "jeopardize their position."

Yesterday a Out of State investor had me go check their flip out and it was beautifully done but was sandwiched in between two vacant homes that had fire damage.

As a landlord the only time you should every really consider filing a claim is with a total loss on a fire policy.

I would say if you are looking to house hack (owner occupy) a duplex or triplex @ $150,000/unit or less I recommend a near suburb like Berwyn/Forest Park where taxes are still somewhat "reasonable".  

Had a big claim (fire) no problem they took care of it.  

Ok, so first things first...get a shovel, and about 300 heavy duty bags...proceed to fill bags with sand and create a barrier wall to stop any direct fire or shrapnel...or immediately vacate war zone.Try cash for keys, or just forfeit part of the month and move out on the 15th...yeah you loose a half month, but you reduce your exposure to crazy, and that's priceless.

Maybe 50% of the potential increased sale price might be a good incentive level for estates; would need to run numbers on an individual deal to see if it was worth my risk.