Zac, I have a friend who put a metal roof on his home just a few months prior to it burning completly down.

First which everybody I think gets burned is that never go with the cheapest quote. 

My understanding @Tracy Burns is that when you move from the home, you will no longer be eligible for the Homestead Deduction and will, therefore, be no longer eligible to have your STR license according to DC's current law. 

You will also have a lot of turnover, that as a new investor may burn you out and turn you off from real estate investing altogether.

I went to look at the properties today to make sure they were in good condition and discovered one had burned down.

I just kind of think of it as an absolute last resort for emergencies, in the event of a catastrophe (e.g. building burns down).I'm curious how others treat it.

The actions that have to come to play to put at risk = the entire market/economy/country is burning to the ground and if that's happening, nobody is caring about your default because everyone is defaulting. 

Our VA cold caller was calling a "vacant house" list and this property was still considered a house in public record even though the house burned down in 2015.

To get experienced eyes on my potential deals.One of my realtors burned this phrase into my head: "Date the rate and marry the purchase price!"

At some point hes going to do electrical work that will cause a fire and burn down a house.