Most of the other applicants fell into the "may or may not pay rent on time" category but were good people.The two year lease is a bit of a gamble, if the tenants are bad.

There may a real estate boom but it’s not everywhere, select neighborhoods you have to buy well in advance before it gentrifies to make your money and that is still a gamble.

So if someone tries to rent from me and has an eviction I am gambling on 2-3 months rent plus 2,000 dollars in attorney fees that they will always pay on time. 

Big bank will break even on the mortgage to earn your loyalty, cross selling is now a factor. 20% down on a $1m home given the 'normal' sales prices in the area, no one's going to touch the big banks, just be ready to be spammed by for 10 million other financial services you might not need or want.

Are industry professionals seeking customers doing so by paying to be here, or is it spamming? 

Areas like Vegas (gambling), Florida (tourism), and Detroit (manufacturing) fared the worst in the last recession, and I predict will do the same in the next one.

Too often I read posts where it explicitly states that Appreciation is a gamble.

not being in my main USA market, I still will only invest there with extra, non core money.3- Indiana Jones type adventurers/thrill seekers- like my friend who brought in Baja, they let the mystique and romance of the land take precedence in what amounts to a pure gamble.

Likely your going to have to bail or gamble and complete the closing.

These scumbags constantly bombard my email inbox with spam that is focused on that -- screw over someone's grandma, and you get a big paycheck!