I know a company right here in Cleveland that does several of these short-term rentals for utility company workers, executive contractors, and even a film crew from California.It always charges a high deposit and much higher rents than what the rent would be to more usual, long-term tenants.The owner did not mention any issues with extensive damage, etc, but then he was trying to convince me to turn my property into a short-term rental, so he obviously wouldn't.I think if you structure the agreement so as to cover any repairs when they leave, you should be okay.

The mold does not look as extensive as yours, Ed.

Also, the renovations I did on the house were so extensive that any attempt to segregate the appreciation and costs, solely related to the underpinning and 8' basement ceiling height, would be speculation.

We ran some long extension cords so had some limited power but all in all , I was relieved it was handled quickly and done right.Your costs seem high and would agree with others to ask for breakdown in billing and get another electrician to give you a overview on what costs should have been.

What happens if you need an extension? 

3.5 is high for sure, but lenders DO conduct extensive due diligence, including environmental, obtaining an appraisal and review, review of survey, title, they usually order flood certs, sometimes hire an abstracting company to review and approve budgets, draw schedules, etc. and leases if you're looking for construction to perm, and so on... requiring a sum up front is far from unusual, especially for a construction loan.

Safe is relative but most neighborhoods in the city, except a few in each city quadrant, are pretty safe--despite what many say or believe (most don't live in or know areas outside NW or trendy NE).As for condo investments around metro stations for long term, anywhere near Cap Hill/H street corridor might still be profitable (soon adding the Benning Rd extension of H street).

But in addition to that I'm also a general and manufactured home contractor and we have a rather extensive manufactured and site built home lease/rent portfolio. 

The Streamlined 203k loan is for less extensive projects and cost are limited to $35,000.

At first it was agreed to be  only for a month or two, but now the tenant would like an extension.