TDAs offer peace of mind and a safety net, while real estate provides growth potential, tax advantages, and wealth-building opportunities.

Like you we had 3 teams of two door knockers  2 for safety one women one man.. and we door knocked every NOD in our 2 mil MSA  all to boil it down to if we were very lucky to get 2 to 3 deals a month.. now we were a little different I only would buy very high equity deals.. and we leased back .. because as you state 99% don't want to leave.. 

This includes contacting the applicant’s employer and speaking with their supervisor to confirm job stability, income, and reliability​. if the person has not been employed at their place of employment they would require a guarantorCredit Score and Debts: Applicants need a minimum credit score of 620, and while we review debts, medical debts are generally not disqualifying unless they impact overall financial health.Criminal History: We do review criminal history to ensure safety and security for our tenants, while remaining mindful of state and federal guidelines.Rental History: Positive references from past landlords, with no evictions or significant lease violations in the past five years, are essential. and we can see into the court system if they have an eviction judgement.Release of Information: We include a release form allowing us to verify employment and rental history directly, which helps us get a clearer picture of an applicant’s background.This process has worked well so far, but I’m always open to improving.

Than learn with that safety net until your ready to take things back over to self-manage again. 

My only concern with renting it out room by room in Philadelphia is my safety as my roommates could be psychopaths.

This is really what it should be as unsafe units should have to address the safety issues before they can be rented.  

This provides you with a safety net for any unexpected expenses during the rehab process while also potentially allowing you to secure higher leverage on the purchase price.

Plus, having a fully paid-off property could be a nice safety net if the STR market takes a hit or occupancy slows down.On the flip side, if you’re eager to grow, saving for another property could be the better play.

Actually, an ever growing number of Americans are investing in Europe and they're welcomed with open arms.

Just go into it armed with solutions, being up front with people and setting yourself up for success.