And even in the good days, they wanted some skin in the game. 

Lots of folks in this game tend to have mortgages up to their eyeballs which can really put the squeeze on.

If you actually have a living arrangement and situation where you live separately I think it would be possible from a legal standpoint but getting an underwriter to sign off might be a totally different ball game.  

It’s a wait and see game.  

Welcome to the game!

I will add this caveat:  If it's a larger building with professional management, I wouldn't want a completely empty apartment building that I have to fill (or it would definitely affect the purchase price/game plan).

The virtual nature of transactions right now will change agents' role a bit but the fundamentals that have kept agents in the game this long will continue. they won't be going anywhere for a while. 

We are new to the game and are trying to figure it all out.

I am going to tell you a little secret from a man who's been in the game since the 1970s and who's built a nice portfolio spanning six States.

A good tenant often has some reserves of their own so most will continue to pay rent.Since you may be new to the game, know your local laws.