What is the appeal of this business model? 

It's interesting how easy things can be when you listen to the seller's motivations and interests and shift your thought process to make your offer as appealing as possible.

For aesthetics I’d worry more about the cabinets and the brick fireplace.

So Erik has some great real world advice.Remember that you can pick a better area in other parts of the country and still self manage.Your idea of a 4 bedroom house is good as that will generate more revenue than a smaller property and appeal to more people.

If you have a contractor put in different size windows the home may lose its curb appeal and look downscale.

Especially if the home aesthetics and footprint are comparable, there is still good rental supply available.

You can add the nice looking deck and aesthetics over the year to prep it for an airbnb when you are ready to move out.

These may include the efficiency of the court system, the tenant's response to the initial notice, and any legal challenges or appeals filed by either party.

But that is an aesthetics decision, not because it has been a problem. 

The dynamic gradually went from me needing them and vetting me for their program to aggressive now or never ultimatums, challenging/criticizing my commitment and morals, and using religious appeals and made up personal stories to try and get me to see the parallel and cave/sign/pay.