They may honestly be telling you truth and trying to get the money from charity, a second job, family, selling stuff off, whatever.They could also be lying and there is no chance of paying you ever.

bottom line is that how you want to be treated how would you like it if someone totally wasted your time and blew smoke up their skirt how do you like to be lied to .. ( probably would not like it )I like@Deshan Kennedy  suggestion simply go to open houses.. agents are board they will talk with you but you don't waste their time or yours..

They could also be lying.

This is important to know but can be lied about very easily.

But the comps belie that the spread between asking and sale price is much narrower than a 25% spread you are going for.  

Haven’t looked into Columbus at all, this is my first investment property and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t super nervous

It is not comparable.Your only argument is that I must be lying because I'm an agent.

But if the individual inside the rental claims they are the legal resident, the cops can't remove the person because the Landlord may be lying.

$685k purchase price$350k rehab$1.5m ARVI would be lying if I said it wasn't a little scary to be carrying the monthly hard money fees I am carrying and knowing how soft and fickle the top end of the market can be.

Your response should be : "lying on the application or intentionally omitting prior rental addresses or landlord information is grounds for rejection.