His opinions are worth consideration but your word is the bottom line.Remember "that what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger" 

The more you can have conversations with these people and really get to know them and let them know you, the stronger your team will be. 

Any time a real estate niche yields stronger returns, more money will funnel that direction, until things balance out.My clients and I are still getting getting 20%-35% cash on cash returns with SFH STR's and 5%-15% cash on cash with most SFH LTR's, and 25%-40% cash on cash with larger, more remodel-demanding LTR multifamily projects with 6-18 month transitions. 

I'm also considering Murfreesboro and Columbia where it looks like I can have a stronger cash flow. 

In normal circumstances the rentee stands stronger than the renter in the sense that the renter doesn't have the permission to be cancelling a contract during the length of the contract if it isn't for any force major reasons (for example, he/she is selling their apartment).

When the market was stronger, many banks would lend up to 80% LTC (with same 75% LTV backstop).

Seems Kingsport or Johnson City are stronger markets for now, but again, that depends on your goals and what your acquisition target(s).

To throw an idea out there, if you had a two year plan of renovating both sides yourself (saving money by DIY, having a little longer time horizon, etc.) you can have a fully renovated duplex in 2 years while having the benefit of stronger rents on one renovated unit after 1 year. 

Challenges make me stronger!

Someone is always better, stronger, faster, etc.