In a downturn, single family tends to loose value but MF doesn't. 

It's going to come down to a few things here, what you're legally bound to do, what is the right thing to do, and what you're most comfortable with. 

I stuck with SFH and followed a loose BRRRR strategy.

If you analyze the situation you may have way more to loose by not helping your parents out.

- If the tenants didn't loose their job due to COVID can they continue not to pay rent?

your agent wouldn’t consider this a pleasant experience/working relationship and you may be contractually bound to them (as your hired listing agent), but it’s going to linger in their mind how close you were to closing on the deal, yet wanted to back out at the last minute.

Possibly a loose lending environment due to liberal politics making huge concessions for first time homebuyers, more down payment support, etc?

Such an approach may say, for example, that properties in the Chicago area are depressed in price and are bound to go up in value and would therefore be a good investment.

You are too dangerous and will loose your own money.

If your a $1m-$10m MFH buyer, DONT rush into anything, do thorough D.D. and DONT push, the 2nd best deal you ever get is the one you DIDNT buy and DIDNT loose capital on.