I have just never heard of a situation of this nature.

above the current rent because of the short term nature of the lease. 

We acknowledge the issue either through phone or e-mail (however they contact us) ASAP, but do not run out to handle any issue right then and there unless it is urgent in nature. 

Also, there is always a possibility of the risks from natural disasters, but those no one can foresee.

You either have a buyer's agent representing you (for free) or you have the listing agent representing both sides (but probably representing the seller more... its human nature). 

I definitely learned not to let a so called handyman do ANY repairs while living there after he hit the natural gasoline with a sawzall and moved...

Get a couple more quotes, plus compare material prices with some suppliers in the area  It’s hard to determine whether the price is fair because the nature of the project and the sizes are unknown.

I have found so much more value in my self-studies via reading books, listening to podcasts, interacting here on the forums, working in mastermind groups etc. than I have with traditional school work. 

One thing I will say about NOT using software for your first property however, is that you will understand the individual platforms much better by directly interacting with them, so keep that in mind as well. 

Neither do I laugh at their jokes or anything else in that nature.