And never being “at risk” is it even sufficient to legally bind a seller?  

In the end, it is viewer’s choice to follow what they think is more reasonable.

Remember when land buyers pick a target, they have TONS of work to do getting that property from dirt to payday, so they know their purchase choices, and they have a war chest usually stacked up ready to go.

Note: This could happen NOT by your choice with a layoff.

Just don't make the mistake of comparing what someone else profits on a role, to decide whether your compensation is sufficient or not. 

So, an area might have been D class 20 years ago and is C class today in terms of what the property condition, crime etc show you BUT if the tenants still stigmatize the area in their mind then mostly D class tenants will be applying there because they have less choices.

Mostly people with minimal RE experience are adding a single ADU and they often make that choice based on cash flow without taking into account the negative equity position.  

This can be very expensive and is usually the worst choice because you can't justify the cost.2.

Yes they can use a realtor of their choice.

You have a choice in STR.