If I had paid a bunch of $ and was extremely pleased all the way around, I'd be touting that guy and telling others so they wouldn't be getting burned by all the other cons out there who just want your money and leave you no better off than you were before.

Doubt it...at least not anytime soon...You are a property owner so I am sure you pay tons of $ every year on property taxes, income taxes etc. so in a sense you are funding the wasteful section 8 system...One thing that could possibly trigger the government into making a change to this program would be posts in which an investor touts that he is making twice the market rate of rent and referring to the program as a "gravy train" (just giving you a hard time)...I think what you meant to say was that it is a vital government program that helps the community and that you could charge more rent but you don't because you only want to make a modest income...

The term is thrown around and touted as a way to get into real estate without start-up money.

My expense will be 40% or a little less, therefore my return will be in the 7-8% on just the monthly rental cash income.It has been touted that Real Estate is not a passive investment.

Property is not really move in ready, missing appliances, carpet has been torn up and floor painted grey with carpet tacks painted over (this has been touted as an improvement, it's not).

you will work I t out  @Caleb Heimsoth being a broker and pretty easy to find.. tenants would get my number.and of course me being me..

. - he touts like 30% return over time.3.

Anyone in the mainstream talking about a "real estate crash" was touted as crazy.

One pet peeve I have, I often see people tout note investing as an alternative to savings which is close to zero return (a fair claim), and the (poor performing, volatile, unpredictable, insert other term) stock market.  

@Jay Hinrichs, I agree that the oft-touted BRRRR method is going to outgrow it's shine before much longer.