It is not usually on the first page. 

I usually get that kind of info from the realtor in the area. 

I have a feeling that if you use it as a rental, your emotional attachment to it will lead to you over-maintaining it, ultimately creative a negative cash flow situation. 

Just remember: most negative reviews are written by problematic tenants.

Does anyone usually verify that the general contractor they are hiring are licensed and insured?

It depends on the box size, where it is at location wise and demographics, site lines, access with cross traffic, and if dark but current tenant still paying or totally vacant.Smaller box sizes usually have a long list of tenants waiting to go into the spaces in strong markets.

There are lots of ways out of most deals/contracts and professional courtesy usually causes nearly all sale fails to result in the buyer getting their EM back (especially in residential), even if it's more for practical rather than "letter of the law" reasons. 

Tell him to get his butt off the couch and find whatever job he can get, Home depo is usually hiring.

Usually cleared and ready to be built on.

They are usually obligated for the remaining term of the lease or until a replacement tenant is found, whichever comes first.