However, what I admire is their character.  

So everything you can do to avoid a scam or a shady character is worth something. 

I don't know the character of the neighborhood.

As Chris C mentioned,Once that rapport is built, people sign blindly.I trusted and lost $100,000 on an oil fund deal.Signed blindly...Invested in a RE tech project.Lost $250,000Signed blindly...It is what it is.We live, we learn, we grow.As Jensen Huang said - "Greatness and character are born out of people who suffered"Wishing everyone all the best and give your family a big kiss as at the end of the day, that's all that matters 🥰

I wanted to avoid shady characters and losses while trying to build a rental portfolio that was rehabbed to a good standard and didn't have much maintenance issues.4.

The character of a wo/man shows when the ship is taking on water.

For both the applicant(s) and a co-signer, you want to understand their habits...financial, employment, legal, character, etc., as Bad habits in one area typically carry over to other areas, and will land you a poor Tenant (or co-signer) choice.

This work builds character.

While I have never met Eddie Speed which was the crux of the original post I have met both Brian and Michelle and I can vouch for their character.

Part of it is generational, part of it is character traits, and part is understanding things like tech adoption & the network effect.