But...If the average renter is being left behind, if their income can't stay in line with the cost of living, I fear it will lead to a larger crisis and continued intervention/regulation by government.  

Do you need an intervention?

@Scott Weaner, Two major things keep rents from escalating as you think they should - Government intervention (Hellooooo CA) and wages.  

there are 2 types of structurs  for canadian investors one for active investments  active is something you are doing somthing to eg rehabs  and one for inactive investments  inactive are buy and hold properties  investments that need less hands on intervention.

Now I am really concerned and seriously considering holding some kind of intervention.

(Don't ask me how to make that happen...with me and my partner it was either blind luck or Divine intervention depending on your world view)As Kelly Payne said, most of the ones who are willing to give you a good price are looking for quick cash, or an instant end to their headache.

Rodman is supposedly confronted with an intervention request next episode.

http://www.minyanville.com/articles/sox-bks-spx-hgx-indices-fed/index/a/19378Has some interesting information with how bad the stock market has done after each intervention by the government.Very interesting in the end..."

If my intervention puts the seller in a worse position than if I had done nothing--I'm liable.

Look at all the talk from politicians about removing layers of government intervention that stifle business.