Provide reminders on what they need to do to get their deposit back.

Our house is in the mountains surrounded by wild flowers…Reminds me of a large claim settlement in the Smokies just a few years ago. 

I'm sad to be reminded of my Parents passing, they were my world, the best Parents a kid could ask for.To those of you who are second generation landlords, I'm sure you thank your Parents for showing the way.

But people have made some good points.One thing it does remind me of is not to fall into the trap of using that, "Look at an applicants car to see how they will treat your house" technique.

I did not mention this in my initial post but it did perhaps color my thinking.Todd, your reminder for us all to treat others as we would like to be treated is a good one.Thanks for your advice,Dan

Thank you for reminding me about this.

It reminded me that I primarily invest for CASH-FLOW, and appreciation (if/when it comes) is just the icing on the cake! 

Need to be reminded from time to time.Paid $300 to have a kitchen and surrounding area cleaned up (fire mess) only to end up gutting the kitchen.Forgetting to get stuff ahead of time for workers.Forgetting masks going to the dump and disposing carpet and sheetrock with burnt up insulation all over it.

I remind these people that I appreciate their concern, but i've done my homework and am prepared for the worst case scenario so I'm comfortable with the risk, not much they can say to that.  

Thanks for the reminder.