But if you don't, you only perpetuate their poor work ethic, behavior, etc. and they continue their downward spiral.  

If the title is clouded (liens or encumbrances) or it turns out they didn't have the right to sell it, you have no recourse with the grantor short of fraudulent behavior.

I feel the same way as you regarding the additional money, but the "gurus" make it sound like I am setting myself up for disaster by allowing this behavior to go on.  

The highest in behavioral standards are required and agreed to via contract.

Perhaps this is done on purpose.Fourth: most laws are enacted as the results of some previous behavior or action society deems it appropriate or wrong.  

His poor behavior reflects very badly on you and you need to distance yourself from this person asap.I had a similar experience, but as the consumer.  

It could be that the one partner was a financial mess until the other partner came along and straightened things out; when this is the case, the derogatory data should be older and appear to cut off, coinciding with the new partner helping to correct the bad behavior.Or you could have a situation where one partner is the scapegoat for all debts that they are planning to not pay, while the other will keep a clean track record; when this is the case, the bad behavior is ongoing and will have more recent derogatories appearing - because they still want some expensive things that they really can't afford.And there is one other possibility that I will point out.

I was very concerned with the behavior, but so far everything is playing out well. 

Only the landlord or property manager knows how much risk they want to accept, the rental market in the local area, the appearance and behavior of the applicant, etc.

My surprise comes from the fact that this sort of behavior is short sighted on the sellers' parts.