The buyer won't be able to raise the rent on them more than the city dictates (which is historically around 2%/yr) and can't easily get rid of them.  

Take your time and analyze all the angles and what is most important to you and your family.Your goals, your current financial position and what you value most will help dictate what you should do.  

@Jonathan JohnsonAs the others have mentioned its hard to get real close without knowing the specifics but, Assuming replacement cost is available (age/condition of the rental would dictate) a really vague estimate would be .75-95 cents per $ 100 of total insured value.

Again the market dictates what can, and cant be done.

EM in the form of a check MUST be deposited within a certain amount of business days.. it can't be held un cashed.. so that is a non issue and your paranoia on that issue is un founded.As to Escrow  in So Cal its customary to have separate escrow and title companies.. in Nor cal for instance and Oregon and Washington Title and escrow is all under one roof.So its common for brokerages to own these.. they must make a disclosure that they own them. and many times in these type of instances the Seller will dictate who they want to work with.. you could of course have an attorney represent you in this transaction and interact  with the escrow company if your that worried.Liz Pendance on the condo makes bank loan not feasible until that's cleared .. so unless your paying cash its a non starter anyway... this is one thing that condo associations and those that own condo's really miss the ball on .. they think they will just sue.. but in essence they cook their own goose as their property becomes illiquid ...

While state probate laws control transfers of assets, in particular real estate, local superior courts and local rules of court dictate the implementation of laws.What you have is an intestate (no will) pre-probate opportunity in risk of foreclosure.  

Always remember, it's the buyers that dictate what sells...not the seller.  

I knew that the neighborhood would dictate the price and that I'd get a lower price due to the neighborhood. 

What the market is in that one spot dictates if/how/when to invest in it.There are always places to invest in RE...it doesn't matter what the economic climate is. 

Depending on your strategy, passive vs active, will dictate the types of notes you go after.