These are things that i will continue to study and observe as i move into this type of REI. 

Just a few observations from someone who did this repeatedly over a 24 year active duty career:First, owner-occupied financing helps a lot, but as others have said above, the numbers still need to work.

MA, TN, MD, NJ all have different rules, but we all observe "landlord/tenant law" per se.Google "Nolo".

Your typical big dog is going to bark less and pee on the furniture less but that's more personal observation than fact. 

It's a fact-based observation - one that you know is true.

In fact around here the number of older people looking for $450-$600/month rents are trending exponential.I have observed so many older people living in unhealthy disgusting accommodations because they can't or will not afford better.

Be prepared to observe:* Demeanor, interpersonal skills, communication style.

Just offering what I observed ...

Have you observed them walk; if so, how is their gait pattern? 

Also, for moral compass type questions an in-person interview would be best so both the verbal and non-verbal communication can be observed.