I’ve learned it’s only worth making an insurance claim for something major like when the place burns down or you’ll just get dropped or have rates increase, and I never voluntarily speak to lawyers  (sorry lawyers, love you guys). 

We repaired the roof and added an oil burning heater.

Right now continue to learn and network, and don't burn bridges!  

House #5: Rang the door bell, no one answered so I left card/note.House #6: Blocked off by a gate surrounding the whole house, it was recently burned from the inside it looks like and a complete rehab going down.

(don't burn bridges)4.

I don't require them to use the sprinkler system but if the front yard starts to burn out I call them and ask them to run it for a while.

If I showed you a field with 30,945 airplanes and I said to you: "only 1% of these airplanes will reach their destination and the rest will crash and burn"... will you send your family off and wish them good trip and good luck?

Also include in lease that minor stuff such as clogged toilet, light bulbs, lawn care, etc are the responsibility of the tenant so you are not bothered everytime a bulb burns out.

Too easy to get burned and that might sour you against real estate investing altogether being this is your first time. 

If you pay the money you may get more leads but I can almost guarantee if you don’t that bridge is burnt so the real question is 1000 worth burning that bridge.