I believe it's up to you and your partner and whatever you both are most comfortable with and agree to.

The primary reason I was looking to do the rent by the room approach is that as far as personal space goes it's not a huge concern of mine to sacrifice some comfort for a year while I have to live at the residence.

Then you could go in without an agent if you feel comfortable however, you will rarely overpay with a buyer's agent but you have to find good ones and commit to them or they will leave you on the dust as time is their most valuable asset.

As @Pat L. rightly said, you have to get comfortable with debt to scale in real estate.

We pride ourselves in offering quality units for people to call their home, and I would never want someone whom is dissatisfied with their living space here to feel like they have to stay out of contractual obligation, so I am willing to release you from your lease term early if you are not comfortable with our threshold of service."

It seems that people now have more information about their work situation so they feel more comfortable moving and leasing a property. 

If a tenant puts a shoe box over the hole it could catch fire or at least start to smolder.

.#6  Yes please do share that as well if you are comfortable. 

I can definitely relate to you and from this discussion, I feel greatly comforted. 

As far as what to ask, you should ask them if they’re comfortable putting in lots of low offers ?