When I see a number like 300k for a 75k salary I almost fell out of my chair. 

He did not perform appropriate due-diligence on these and/or maybe fell into the high-income Dr. mindset of "money is an easily renewable resource". 

Shortly after we purchased solar panels with a lease to own option ( lein) . 2 years later I was out of work for 1 year and we fell behind on Bill's.

I negotiated that one down in price and to a lease-option term, but it fell through because the basement was flooded on a second inspection.

Values clearly fell, but rents did not really change. 

They couldn't manage the properties (collect rent and afford the repairs) and fell behind on the mortgages and filed bankruptcy.

I came very close to buying a triplex in Reseda but that fell through in the last minute.

Something that my wife and I sort of fell into was a live in flip.

So even with a yearly CPI (remember we have had negative and miniscule figures) increase they fell far below.So you have a situation where you have tenant who won't leave and landlords that can only profit by neglect.But what any investor should realize is that you are actively and purposely decreasing the value of your investment. 

Yep it fell against the wires caught fire & we were without power for a couple of days.