Granted, they had the benefit of relatively low purchase prices relative to rental income; low interest rate loans they were able to refinance into and (generally) rising house values.  

Despite current unemployment rates maintaining below 5%, the recent rise from 3.8% to 4.2%(recently revised to 4.1%) is significant, especially when considering wage growth adjusted for inflation.Over the last few years, the median household income has dropped by 7.2% when adjusted for inflation (and this isn't even considering volatile food and energy prices), a troubling trend given that inflation has outstripped income growth.

But the ROE is even more drastically worse compared to the past as the value of them continues to rise but income has not.  

But I'm not going to rise through the ranks, I'm soley working there part-time or full-time to make my first income, this isn't my sole path.

It is not uncommon for rates to rise this close to an election, then adjust back down right after.  

Lower interest rates, however, are expected to keep debt issuance attractive, while a rise in REIT stock prices could boost equity offerings.

Rising rents are one reason Phoenix had the country’s highest increase in overall inflation two years ago.Anxiety over housing costs is especially strong in this election swing state.

With contract times rising 70% to 51 days, standing out is key.

Short term rentals in the past on lakes in this area have done very well, but things have changed post covid, interest rates rising etc.

Since they would eventually pay the taxes on the money (assuming I am correct), I doubt this would rise to the level of a crime per se.