I would have been SO much better off just being patient, even if it took me another month. 

You need to train your tenants.It takes some time but if you are patient you can have your tenant make a deposit every month.They can also buy a cashier's check and send it on the mail but sometime you get the BS that they already sent it and it may be lost on the mail. 

Then the eviction was on appeal while showing the unit; I guess the tenant recovered or somebody maybe a friend or family member did so on his behalf - it could have even been community legal services (hospital might have contacted them to protect the patient).

Should I be patient and take the advise of the Property Manager or start the eviction process.

It was a $450 repair overall.So, now I'm wondering if obesity is a protected class. 

Im the most patient person I know so I feel I might be wasting valuable time on people who don't deserve my time.Is there a general rule?

I won the judgement for possession yesterday - now patiently waiting for the automatic 10-day appeal period to expire to file the writ.  

Stay patient and be sure you are comfortable with your choice. 

If the rent works (maybe below market, but still cash flowing), and the tenants are good, I guess I'll just have to be patient.

@Hattie Dizmondif a patient provides someone with the info, that is not a violation of HIPAA (not HIPPA).