I leveraged (via HELOC and a cash-out refi) my home and a rental property I had in Bend in order to buy in Tennessee, where our money goes a lot further, and my wife and I have roots.

(In fact, you've taken steps to prevent yourself from being identified.)  

@Joseph Janarski PA state contract used by Realtors has a box that you check that says sellers are limited to retaining earnest money as damages.As long as you check that box it prevents this......Check your contract for something similar. 

Any ideas on what can be done to prevent damage at this house?

Standards are good to have but do not set them so high that they prevent you from being successful.

Cozy has a way to prevent the tenant from paying.

There are additional requirements and regulations put on my the federal government that prevent this.

There are ways to prevent water from getting in.

More importantly, for those of you using popular AirBnB tools that leverage your account login, can you clarify if tools are limited/sandboxed to prevent access to the guest side of your account (in the same way as a co-host account)?

Now, I feel like I have learned enough and want to really get into the game.... but I am currently staying home due to personal circumstances which is preventing me getting a traditional loan.