This person probably sites on the internet and thinks they know what they are talking about but again 100% clueless . 

Sometimes I get a hold of a family member who knows the person I am attempting to contact - which is my book is a win!

I will say, personally if I'm going to a rental and they have a golf cart that would be AWESOME and I would love it, but I know I'm responsible.

It's a nice benefit while you live there, but it shouldn't be the deciding factor in what you do next...it can play a part in the discussion, but the much greater benefit is your ability to sell tax free on your personal residence with a 121 exclusion. 

Most likely you'll never have an issue unless the company/person doing the repairs after the fire cut corners.

I would personally keep the property unless it's going to be tough to cover the difference. 

Personally I am not sure what investing out of state looks like, and I would truly feel incredulous if I could get help from any of you amazing friends here on bigger pockets!

I would highly recommend staying away from anything being transferred from one person to the other directly.

I personally use batch skip tracer.

I would personally wait to buy a property until you're down there.