He started selling off properties and investing in more syndications, then eventually started his own syndications.Why invest in individual homes that require your time and energy, or that causes stress?

On one hand I think I dodged a bullet with this person not moving in, bc it sounds like it would be a year of complete chaos.

Is this area susceptible to car jackings, murder, stray bullets?

The value and usability of a well made low cost, very energy efficient home is real. 

My guess is that you'll end up doing a hybrid approach and keeping the parts of these projects that bring you energy while finding other "whos" for the parts of the projects that don't.

My main reason for not wanting to take a smaller % is I want it to be worth my time and energy put into the property.

Perhaps one of these can resolve the issue.https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-80-CFM-Ceiling-Mount-Room-Side-Installation-Humidity-Sensing-Bathroom-Exhaust-Fan-ENERGY-STAR-BPT13-14HD/308577336

You can focus that time and energy on finding another property and growing your portfolio. 

I am the type of landlord who maintain my property with high standard, not cheap with upgrades and new systems, going the extra miles to fulfill my Landlord responsibilities but I also like to enforce my bullet proof lease.

This will drastically reduce the time and energy you need to invest.