I recently caught something that was good-natured, but saved me 6 months.

It has had a noticeable "good will" effect with some of the tenants, though it's naturally difficult to quantify the effect.  

But it sounds like due to the nature of your work this may be a viable option for you.Typicall you will put down a fair amount of a downpayment (enough to make the owner comfortable) and you guys will agree on a interest rate and term for the loan.

We had a pretty wicked natural disaster in this area a couple years back and it messed some people up financially, which in turn messed their credit up as well.

I have found that fraud is beginning to happen in this area.It is against the law to discriminate against a "disabled" person with an adequately trained service dog.

I recently tried out Trulia's "Natural Hazards" feature, to discover that my rental is located in "moderate risk for flood" area in Las Vegas, NV.Thanks!

I'd set up a new expense account called "loss on retirement of asset" or something of that nature to your chart of accounts and throw it in there.

I, just my skeptical nature, will dig back further but that's not the norm.

Remapping happens it seems after each natural disaster in an area.

I would recommend refinancing the property as an owner occupied mortgage at a reasonable LTV on no more than a 15 year mortgage that allows you to have adequate cashflow on the property once you do rent it out.