I also sent them a $20 gift card, with the letter, as a nice gesture to hopefully ease any fears they may have about me as the new landlord of their home.

One thing I want to mention is that these books and podcasts serve for more than just a knowledge base, they give you the nerve to jump over that phycological fear barrier, which In my opinion keeps more people out of the game than lack of knowledge or skill.

Fear tries to creep in so I tell my myself that if I wait for the perfect moment then it would be less of a risk. 

Update: We have requested a mutual release of contract due to fears for my and my children’s safety since I am the property manager and complete most small repairs myself having my child with me. 

I didn't want to tell anyone what I was doing for fear others would flock to my market and buy up the cheap homes and get all the good renters and then I'd be stuck working my 9-5 till I'm 65.

As long as you can manage right, you keep pressure on them and treat them right then it all works out just fine.As I'm about to get into long term rentals (I'm putting my first offer on 4 family tomorrow) my biggest fear is to have to be committed to go to my rental property at 12am and have to fix broken sink or clogged toilet.... 

Perhaps is fear of not having. 

If you have substantial personal assets, or cash flow and/or equity to protect, or other reasons to fear litigation, you'll also want asset protection.

So your fear that they are trying to sell it to one of their own clients is unfounded. 

The no evictions ever is because if someone has been through the process, they aren't scared of it anymore, and the fear factor is huge leverage in getting a non-paying tenant out before having to invest in what can easily be a 4+ month process here.