Responsible renter's will step up to the plate and do what they need to do.On another note, we have found water alarms to be quite helpful in mitigating damage from appliance leaks and plumbing leaks.  

I was attempting to mitigate my losses on one in 2009 when the value had dropped by 40%...  

Lack of experience can be mitigated with more cash on your end and an experienced contractor on your team. 

From an investing standpoint I would also recomend that you become successful first at flipping houses and then look to adding some guys to your crew but easing into it in a way that will help mitigate losses.

There are ways to mitigate both strategies.

Be prepared to play 20 questions when/if you get through to them and get a loss mitigator on the phone.

All other liens go by recording date absent mitigating factors such as subordination agreements, etc.

You'll want to ask for the Loss Mitigation Dept.

We had a sewer scope performed on the property and there were no apparent problems with the line (no roots, damage, etc.)As far as the radon test, we didn't have to perform one since we later discovered the house already had a mitigation system in place -- so obviously it tested high in the past. 

Initially - yes, but only to mitigate the possibility of the home not selling right away, reducing my risk.