You are correct that they are headed for serious trouble. he number i called..cant remember his name but if you see other posts on here he has posted 9196045703 Brent? 

Asking in the correct forum will get a better response.Read the RULES!

They normally do a very poor job that will have to be corrected later - drips on the floor, doors walls and molding, poor job of cutting in, bleed through on the walls.

I'm going off the understanding that you still need to spend 500+ hours in the business to achieve material participation (please correct me if I'm wrong). 

Am I correct that a condo, depending on area and neighborhood, could be a lower risk/maintenance investment for an absentee landlord as opposed to other properties?

This is primarily what makes their work product substantially lacking in correct English grammar, legal protections, timely professionalism and many other ways any Securities Attorney will point out to investors.

In one of the 3 fundamental human needs (food, water, shelter).

@Shawn SheedyIf I understand you correctly it appears you are expecting a property owner to subsidize your rent at a below market rate....which in essence means you'd be digging in their pockets, not the other way around as you have accused.I don't see how the effort to enact laws after the fact changes your current situation. 

Most likely your conclusion is correct, but the only way to confirm it is by having a real estate accountant review your tax situation.Also, please read this introduction if you want to better understand the concept:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/1075919-five-...

Nor any skip trace agency who will guarantee correct address. (7) We have not been able to find any collection agencies that take case of a private landlord to collect on contingency basis.