Here's hoping that this is the most volatility we'll see for the rest of the year, but something tells me all bets are off.

But again not predicting it but there is the thought process that ( and or good reason) that these are loans that once taken are good until you sell the property etc.. the bank is not going to advertise this fact. you need to read it in the docs and I bet most of the MLO's at the credit unions don't even know what the docs say.. :)

Given that the only ways to lose money in this industry are bad investments and lawsuits, I’m not willing to bet my portfolio that I’ll be in the lucky 10% of people who never have problems. 

These avenues versus selling an STNL property with an existing lease in place and getting 50k for 1 lease review.A local commercial real estate land broker might be your best bet.

Millennials are not going throw money away for rent @Russell Brazil  I bet Russ sells a bunch of them I would say 70% of my new homes I build are sold to millennials.. 

The best bet for housing interns and others over the short term is helping them find vetted rooms for rent in private homes or as part of a sublet.

I have heard so many mixed reviews that a fourplex is the best because you have 3 other people paying your mortgage for you, but you have to get into it with more money. 

Why not take a bet each way?

You might want to check if the SS money is disability and ask how long they have had the disability and how long it is expected to continue and when was the last time SS reviewed their qualifications. 

A lease with a separate option to purchase is a safe bet because if his property doesn't close and he can't 1031 into yours you will at worst have to evict him.