Unfortunately, I think this is the case all too often.
When someone says what a great idea it is to buy a huose and have a renter pay it off, that's a sign they've never done it.
You can get lucky...I bought one that was occupied by two teachers at the college..they were in it for 8 years...Don't ask me why they didn't just buy it..but it worked good for me. I think the best way to do this is to buy one that has a renters in already that have a track record!.. Buying then renting is a coin toss at best, unless you put it through a management company which just takes cash out of your pocket. Anyone who thinks it's as easy as buy , rent out, forget about it... is in for abig surprise!