Together with it, i have a mortgage free apartment that serves as financial security. 

My updated expected monthly rental income will be $2,800, resulting in a cash flow of $795 per month (excluding my share of the split utilities).I plan to set aside at least 80% of my cash flow for property-related expenses.Additionally, I’ll be installing keypads and security cameras for enhanced safety and operational efficiency.

I see it somewhat regular of people who got into a "deal" with HML, to do a Brrr and now it's half done reno and there desperately trying to sell it as-is to bail them out. 

It's impressive that you secured a deal like this with no renovations and turned it around the same day.

With your point, it seems like living security of 'where's next' for them will be the biggest obstacle for the seller to overcome.

I've also used some more obscure companies in the seller financing world like Pioneer Title in Idaho (they call in Long Term Escrow Servicing) and Security Escrow in NM (recently purchased by Sunwest Escrow).

We have not been able to secure financing and had conversations about it.

Both of our employers now offer roth 401k contributions instead (with matching going into regular 401ks), and I may take advantage of that too, but another small hit to cash flow.At some point, do you just suck it up and take a 10% penalty?

According to the article, around 5% of the properties are being bought by investment companies, leading to concerns that regular homebuyers are being priced out of the market.1) Do you think this could become a long-term issue, given that the current percentage of investor-bought properties is relatively small?

You need to make sure your tenant screening is very thorough and also your property security is top notch.