Similar to small shops selling through Amazon.Background in case it matters: As an old school tech guy who was there before the birth of the Web, I might have a bit of a unique perspective on tech changes impacting real estate.Tim BL invented the web so he could use Bill's software and I worked with Bill at two firms. 

The most I ever made as a teacher, also as an adjunct professor at a community college too at the same time, working about 60 hours a week, with a Masters and 8 years of education was $60,000 and my wife as a special Ed. aid in the classroom made $20,000 max or $80,000 combined family income.  

Several of these firms are either already buying in the Nashville market, or are positioned to sometime within 2019 to 2020.

I already have a county on board, engineering firm hired with conceptual design completed and I've even identified the parcel.

@Peter Shafik thank you, its definitely something us agents have/need to learn. ive learned to be firm & confident over the years but sometimes even my top dog investors/brokers dont get responses, just frustrating lol!

Having multiple doors under one roof aids to minimize the risk of unpaid rent as well as unexpected vacancy.

Guju Law Firm in Palm Harbor or Gruman Law/Peer Title in Tampa

Have your friend go to a lawyer or legal aid if needed and lay out the facts. 

Instead, run your business in a professional manner, be polite-firm-fair, abide by the law, mitigate your risk, maintain proper insurance coverage, establish a sound rental agreement, enforce the terms of the rental agreement, courteously attend to tenant requests as they arise, understand the difference between tenant needs/wants and landlord needs/wants, set boundaries, maintain the property, and attend to issues in a timely manner.

If you're not up to the task, then seek the aid of a local agency that advocates for tenants and/or an attorney.