How have they accounted for reserves / contingency when things don't go as planned. 

I've included an example below to help illustrate this.So different lenders have different rates (which do vary even for DSCR loans) but these are factors they all consider.See example below:DSCR < 1Principal + Interest = $1,700Taxes = $350, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $50Total PITIA = $2200Rent = $2000DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2000/2200 = 0.91Since the DSCR is 0.91, we know the expenses are greater than the income of the property.DSCR >1Principal + Interest = $1,500Taxes = $250, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $25Total PITIA = $1875 Rent = $2300DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2300/1875 = 1.23If a purchase, you also generally need reserves / savings to show you have 3-6 month payments of PITIA (principal / interest (mortgage payment), property taxes and insurance and HOA (if applicable).

Gangbangers hanging out on corners and loitering 24/7 infront of stores.

@David F.As Russell mentioned co-ops are probably 1/2 the price of a condo and you would also have extensive costs to set up a co-op and typically it’s my understanding the builder funds the first 1-2 years of reserves.

It's a primarily a utility asset, and secondarily a store of value against currency. 

Do people have reservations about long-term rentals - are short-term rentals better?

For the 10 year period spanning December 2014-2024, single-family prices in Austin nearly doubled, yielding an annualized appreciation rate of ~9.4% in that period.With inflation close to its 2% target and an uptick in the labor market, The Federal Reserve may be taking a break from rate cuts.

That way, you keep more in reserves and have more to put towards your next house hack.

If cash flow is what you are after, set up a coffee trailer, wash houses, sell digital assets, launch a Shopify store, set up ATMs, buy a title company, coin laundry, a party rental business a car body shop etc.. and then invest the cash flow in real estate! 

Don’t forget heloc, DSCR, 2nd on primary, borrow from retirement accounts, credit card cash advance, property reserves, home improvement store credit, etc etc.