For personal/professional reasons, we would prefer the public didn't know what specific stock we are investing in.Having said that, is it permissible/legal for my wife and I to create an LLC for the sole purpose of keeping our names private? 

Cameron, RSMeans books is what some professional and college courses teach.

So we get a quote from Stanley Steemer, let them know we will be having them professionally deodorized.

Hi Everyone, I’m a Boston based professional.

So we get a quote from Stanley Steemer, let them know we will be having them professionally deodorized.

If you work in a professional manner, the tenants will believe you.  

Also it is true that mom and pop tenants tend to pay less rent per sq ft.

True, but there are some places on the same streets with buildings literally falling down with no roof.

Of all of the podcasts I listen to (mostly about multi-family investing) and people I talk to, I've only heard one person say that they aren't buying right now, intentionally.Now clearly, a 'deal' is something that cash flows or will make profit from day one.I'm not saying skip over a true DEAL.What I'm asking though, is if there are experienced investors who've been through more than one full market cycle, that have periods of not buying ANYTHING, even if there 'are deals out there'?

Just pay the ~$150 to have it cleaned by professionals and consider it part of the tenant turnover costs.