Some of the ones I've talked to are in really bad situations and being held hostage by their managers who are making it so difficult to get out of their contracts which is forcing them to drown.

With today's interest rates, it's difficult to get an LTR to cash flow.

Quote from @Cody Zucker: There's a big difference between "dead" and "more difficult than it was four years ago."

Keep in mind the more difficult it is to find this info the better!

It's just been so difficult to move forward with this in CR.

I know two people who bought while only planning on staying in the area for 2 years (both had a number of pets making renting more difficult). 

But your tenants should ultimately know that you control their ability to remain in that unit, so if they become too difficult -  you just let them know at the end of their lease you will not be offering a renewal if things don't improve - whatever the issues may be.  

That, in and of itself, is a great idea to live in one side and MTR the other, but you are making your first property more difficult to manage (but easier if you are on site).You don't have to live there, but why wouldn't you want to investigate the market more clearly before making a decision on it.

The property you referenced is the only one on the MLS under $100k, so in the last couple of years, it's been more difficult to find deals like these. 

All of these came through a combination of researching on our own or consistent recommendation from fellow brokers and investors and it was not too difficult.