With more than 10,000 businesses closing and more on the way, the second covid shutdown coming, over 1 million unemployment claims per week with total claims in the last 17 weeks of 51.3 million, and an official unemployment rate of 11% and real unemployment rate somewhere between 20 and 30%, and 4.1 million loans in forbearance = 8.2% of all mortgages, output is 11% lower than December of 2019, plus pending social unrest from either way the election goes, the whole system is unstable.

#1 Is also very likely to exacerbate existing problems (COVID spread, social stability, crime, etc). 

If the plan is to build a portfolio of properties over time without flipping (IE, not focusing on immediate income that would be subject to Social Security and Medicare Taxes), should we just start as an LLC?

I've been thinking about what is non-negotiable, and really I would say (1) general safety and (2) that the numbers work for the cash flow as a long-term investment. 

Besides the socially responsible aspect, is there an ROI opportunity and/or marketing advantage across the board - decreased vacancy, decreased utility costs for tenant/landlord, more responsible tenants who are more likely to "partner" with you to maintain the property, etc.Basically, is including smart technology worth it?

Fortunately she claimed to work at a bank my brother in law works for and he gave me the number of the personnel department who'll will confirm if someone works there or ever works there via the social security number.

Not to mention the required COVID "safety plans" and other red tape.

It was a mathematical certainty that sooner or later this country would be infiltrated by a virulent pandemic that only responded to social distancing.

If you have a dripping faucet, leaky toilet etc, those are handyman type repairs.Try to think of the permits and inspections as making sure the work was done right to ensure safety and having future headaches.

Currently the property does not have any pool safety fence.