And even back then, the security of NNN was suspect in my mind, given that formerly huge companies like toys R us, Sears, Blockbuster, etc. have gone bankrupt.

I have no motivation to bankrupt my current retirements savings to start investing when there are other options, however, am comfortable to taking a dip in my IRA if needed if I feel I can make enough profit to replenish it eventually. 

Your not going to starve, be homeless or go bankrupt because of your real estate investments. 

A bankrupt corporation cannot say the same for it's stock There are locations in the Midwest that I can purchase a SFR for less than it would cost me to build the SFR. 

Smaller impact to landlords, some go bankrupt, but most just struggle through.   

I’m talking million dollar plus cash offers literally flying around because they sold there rental homes in LA/Denver/San Diego/Washington DC/etc. where the tax bill could actually bankrupt them.

Ray K. did it, and McD's went from bankrupt to billion-$ as a direct result.

Never stopped buying, but had to sell some to maintain financial sanity, but I usually doubled my initial investment.Everyone told me I'd go bankrupt, yet several I still own are now worth $800k+ & still rented.

OJ Simpson actually used that, he had a 10 million dollar or so home, went bankrupt after he lost the civil case, and was able to sell the home afterwards and the money was protected.

Keep in mind many investors do go bankrupt and lose it all if they do not know what they are doing.