I have also observed many investors who have done dozens of these transaction EACH, with no defaults whatsoever.  

It's no longer conspiracy theory to state such, it's observation.

One observation in working with higher loan amount borrowers and lenders recently is that rates can often be LOWER than conventional loan amounts. 

I own a multi-family property near Downtown Monroe, Mi and have been observing a significant increase in activity in the area.

2 observations after reading this thread:1- lack of transparency on individual sponsors is a major issue.

@Simone Montague-Jackson agree with @Charles Carillo and @Jordan Moorhead, that they aren't what the marketing hype claims.Insurance companies are in business to make money, which requires them to have a hard stance on claims and incentivizes them to deny as many claims as possible.In our opinion and 24 years of observations, it worse with warranty insurance products!

Rent-to-Price Ratio:Your observation about the rent-to-price ratio is valid.

I’ve observed that those who actually seem to have time freedom achieved through real estate have done two things:1) Built up a $1.5-$2M portfolio at minimum.2) Paid off said portfolio.It’s the accumulation of wealth, yes, but also the lack of leverage that, per my observation, seems to be the source of real, lasting freedom.Sure there will be plenty of exceptions, but most who aren’t in this spot are simply working in the business of RE, in some form or fashion.

Additionally, terms like "houses for rent in Fayetteville NC by private owners" and related searches indicate a lively market for both buying and renting homes.Example listing: 814 Bedrock Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28303 - Purchase Price: $80K814 Bedrock Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28303 | ZillowNearest comps sold in Feb 2024 for $170K with 1,326 sq.ft compared to this property which has 2,220 sq.ft.28304: Given the rapid sales turnaround and price increases across various configurations, a focus on 3 to 5+ bedroom homes could maximize returns, especially targeting larger families or investors in rental properties.Increased searches for "apartments Fayetteville NC 28304" and a noticeable interest in family-oriented housing options, as indicated by terms like "3 bedroom houses for rent Fayetteville NC", support the observed demand for larger living spaces in this zip code.All feedback on my research is welcomed as always :)Have a lovely week!

Look at their job site cleanliness and observe other things to make your decision about them.