By the way, as a landlord I am continuously fighting a negative perception.

Howdy,I want to hit on this topic in local forum since I saw related hot topic in the BP main forum.  I know many have said that they don't like their property manager and complained and shared their expectations. I a...

I would much prefer to take my chances with a tenant who has the safety net of HUD to kick in rent payments if they lose their job than to accept a tenant who will have no option when they quit their job or get laid off.I recently published a blog on the subject of people's perception of SEC 8 vs my reality.  

How can I manage the buyer's perception better for my next closing, to make it smoother for everyone ?

It very well may be the sweetest dog in the world (I volunteered at a humane society for a few years in college, pitbulls can be the nicest dogs and great for families) but unfortunately you need to come to understand that perception is often times more important than reality.  

I mean, I'm sure most landlords don't set out to be slumlords, but I don't even think I could stand that perception of my business.To explain a little further, and to build off @Mike Cumbie, this is a personal loan, with the justification of "buying property" (or something to that effect), to cover a significant portion of the purchase and rehab costs I cannot cover out of pocket.

The media and public perception of landlords is that they are greedy, mean and uncaring.

Typical perception from the West Coasters that all Sub 50K properties are dumps in the ghetto. 

My perception is that this tenant pool is simply the lowest tier of whatever market the complex happens to be in.

Be it issues with rent, interpersonal relationships, communication, even violence or drugs and alcohol, their problems become yours for better or worse.For me, with bricks flying, sirens wailing, guns firing in the first couple of weeks--I get out my check book and wish the wheelchair fellow all the best.