You pay more up front but its harder to destroy.  

Debt is a useful tool, know how to use it or it will turn into a monster and destroy you!

The inspections are to make sure they aren’t destroying the place and there’s no deferred repairs that they never told you about .

In fact often owning a former primary residence as a rental is (often) a bad idea emotionally as you have to watch strangers destroy something you love.

@Adam Brammer I generally get replacement cost on my buildings as the actual cash value can pretty much destroy you in the case of a real problem.

What are the long term effects going to be of the arson, looting and vandalism in downtown areas across America? Businesses were already in financial trouble. Now struggling businesses received the final blow. What ef...

many renters will destroy stuff.   

Not only I’m a scared they will destroy the property further... but I’m terrified someone will burn the house down and get hurt or worse!? 

They will be in toxic relationships with individuals that will destroy your units. 

You look at all factors that you believe pertain to your specific property, do you have other tenants, is it a quiet building, do your tenants work nite shifts, will young families with children be a good fit etc. etc.I know someone is going to jump in with the usual "fair housing" cry but you need to consider whether the applicant will fit with other tenants or if they may destroy your property etc.