You'll want to read this article:  https://www.thebalancesmb.com/is-a-landlord-liable-if-a-tenant-s-dog-bites-someone-2125072Without exception, you will want to require your tenants to carry Renter's Insurance and have a strong pet addendum - including a photo of the pet, breed (non-aggressive only), the pet's medical records to show all vaccinations are current, more...And, if a dog bites anyone (other than someone breaking in or the like), you will need to act to have the pet removed from the premises to ensure you do not assume liability.

I had my kids scrub the garage floors with bleach and push brooms.

Flooded houses can have mold or other contamination due to flood waters carrying raw sewage and chemicals.

If not and you represent that you'll be there full time that's mortgage fraud and carries pretty serious consequences.

@Carrie Hays awesome...are you about to flip it or did you already flip it!

It's a burden I also must carry.

I think you want the house vacant or not at all, assuming you can carry the cost of turning over the house from the get go and carrying costs until you have a new tenant.

The interest carry will eat your profits fast especially if you struggle to get the project done and sold quickly.The easiest way to get started in REI is by wholesaling (which is the assignment of a contract) Once you have done several deals, gained some experience and have set aside some cash then you could try a flip or other strategies.

I would look into something similar to the Lifeproof brand they carry at Home Depot. 

Ow carry over to investing out of state... and having also recently closed on a property in the Midwest, I feel much better prepared.