In 2023 before I invested any funds, each and every time that I spoke with their representatives, I asked as my FIRST question if Norada Capital Management had ever missed any interest or principal payments, and was always told the same thing by their representatives, that Norada had a perfect payment/reimbursement history.

They've never navigated a period like we are in now and they haven't pivoted from their boom times playbook.If you manage to get your principal back you'll have to pay back the taxes you've deferred (depreciation recapture).

I check the SEC, FINRA, ratings websites for inside information on the principals in the company.

Having said that, rents go up over time and as you mentioned tenants are paying down the mortgage (with more going to principal over time). 

If you're licensed (or unlicensed) and are a principal in the transaction, you can use any form you wish but it is foolish to use a form that does not have the required notices included it. 3. 

When I'm investing in trust deeds - my primary concern is the safety of the principal.

I understand that rents will go up over time and my mortgage payment will pay down the principal, but it seems like investing the $1.43mil into rental properties and/or a low fee US stock market fund may work out better for me. 

They didn't extend loan maturities because they were looking out for borrowers--and the moment they feel the market is strong enough for them to liquidate the asset they will foreclose and/or force a sale to recover as much principal as they can. 

I've included an example below to help illustrate this.So different lenders have different rates (which do vary even for DSCR loans) but these are factors they all consider.See example below:DSCR < 1Principal + Interest = $1,700Taxes = $350, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $50Total PITIA = $2200Rent = $2000DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2000/2200 = 0.91Since the DSCR is 0.91, we know the expenses are greater than the income of the property.DSCR >1Principal + Interest = $1,500Taxes = $250, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $25Total PITIA = $1875 Rent = $2300DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2300/1875 = 1.23If a purchase, you also generally need reserves / savings to show you have 3-6 month payments of PITIA (principal / interest (mortgage payment), property taxes and insurance and HOA (if applicable).

You can make exponentially more with leverage and phantom income (principal payday, future cash out refis with rentals to scale up and appreciation).