Although this is a long term investment and not in the main stream, it has added a certain level of comfort knowing the above potential investment risks are to a degree reduced.

And IMO that has been decades in the making.I saw a recent survey of 4000 Gen Z and they said thay would need to earn 270k to feel financially successful.

I’m sure he feels like he earned that money because of how much time he spent going to different sources supposedly.

I don't care if I earn a 1%-3% more if the risk significantly greater. 

This way we reduce our monthly legal expenses and have cash reserves to weather the next few quarters during the virus.

Remember that the leveraged purchases are not going to add significant cash flow immediately and borrowing against existing properties will also reduce their cash flow.

This reduces their upfront cost so they don’t need a large deposit.

If your leasing application process is thorough and well thought out, and if your lease agreement has been well drafted by your local attorney and if it includes clauses that permit you/your property manager enough latitude to maneuver and anticipate undesirable tenant behaviors, both actions and inactions, and you have operational processes which align with enforcement of your lease, then you've done all you can do to reduce this inherent risk of an undesirable tenant.  

They may change, but do you want to risk your hard earned money to give them chance.

Even in the nice locations, most top out around $2,800.Of course there is also your increased insurance, vacancy, repairs, CapEx, and the never mentioned reduced rent on the main house since having a stranger living in your backyard usually isn't appealing to most renters.