From what I've read about these types of areas in North Dakota is that there is a both a lot of contracted workers (potential tenants) and corporate transfers (people whose job situation may change in a few years, or may have bought and then need to sell fast due to income or job changes).Best of luck!

Unfortunately, while highly unethical, I don't imagine it's illegal on the reference-givers side...My best suggestion is exactly what you did -- assume everything you're hearing is a lie and do more due diligence than just a landlord check.

Even if you made a new lease with both you and your roommate on it (which ethically you should do, you're doing an illegal sublet at the moment) lenders may still count the entire rent payment.

We were assured by Bob that he had plenty of crews to do the work in a timely manner, but come December, both properties were unfinished, and we couldn’t figure out why, with all the workers on the project.

Obviously you can do this with new or seasoned agents however realtors are a funny breed, trust me when I tell you I know, I own real estate brokerage with nearly 50 agents and even though we primarily focus on investments a lot of my people still do retail for living.Try to get them to understand what it is we do on the investment side of the process and people say anything and everything to dismantle the investment business model from it is illegal, unethical, doesn’t work here etc..

I personally know a co-worker renting a newer 3/2 down the road for $1900/month.

We also know there are people who fake being disabled and a few doctors and other service workers who enable them to deceive.

From what I understand as long as you don't disturb the paint, like scraping it, you can paint over it and don't have to do anything special so if it is in good enough condition to just paint that would be a lot cheaper.Removing or patching drywall, replacing windows and that type of thing should require a certified worker following the EPA process if there is lead paint.

They have workers comp, which is a big plus.I thought I'd be paying around $25-$30 because it's a small yard.I'm assuming I can get in a world of trouble if an uninsured person I hire to cut the grass falls or cuts off his/her foot.Can an experienced landlord guide me?

It is acting in bad faith on their part but apparently not illegal since the contract was only drawn up by their lawyer and sent to our lawyer but never signed by them.