But all of the 10+ landlords I know personally skimp on screening and they struggle chronically with tenants causing problems and not paying.

Accept that as the worst outcome, then go to work making sure that doesn't happen.Read the book "Stop Worrying and Start Living" if you deal with chronic worry or anxiety over decisions.

Now, I am disabled with a rare incurable chronic leukemia.

SFR multi is much heavier weighted towards "chronic" tenants.

My advice is to do what you feel is right and don't feel pressured by either the agent or some chronic Eeyores here on BP

Alcoholism grabbed hold and I was chronic late stage by 37.   

Roof leaks, sewer line leaks, normally good tenants getting chronically late on rent, trees falling down, fences blowing over, tenant dies in unit and isn't found until weeks later, tenant's foot "breaks through the bathtub???"

They hate these landlords because the cops know they're part of the reason neighborhoods fail.Tenants pull this sort of garbage because they're neurotic and desperate and under chronic stress that eats at their brains.

Here are some of these excuses:1) I don't have enough energy (as i struggle with a chronic medical condition...)2) I don't have enough time (because I am a young mother of two children...)3) I don't have enough money (because though our savings are growing steadily, it is not enough to do a deal on my own...)4) I don't know enough (at least it seems little relative to the information out there...)So now, Brain, listen well: These 'excuses' listed here are precisely the reasons you NEED to get good at this, and quickly too!

Another elderly tenant (chronic COPD) can no longer climb the stairs so we added a small shower stall to the lower half bath & he now lives on the lower floor.