Many people, especially wholesalers disagree with this stance, and offer up different scenarios to support their position, such as I stand ready to buy the property if I can't find a party to flip it too, I put up earnest money at risk so I have cash invested, I have an "equitable" interest in the property, etc.  40 years ago these arguments we're accepted without question, now there being rejected in many states.

At worst, you can position it as a backup offer.You can be as suspicious as you like, but I can't imagine a situation where the seller / seller's agent would reject your offer if it was actually the best.  

The insurance company doesn't like the sound of replacing an entire HVAC, so they reject his proposed plans and instead send a second technician to evaluate the HVAC machine. 

So maybe slightly high and it would appear you are doing the rejecting VS the other way around.  

I provided planned drawings from my designer including finished materials but they were rejected.

FHA rejected the purchase of a duplex because the area is zoned for single family.

Rodrigues @Darren Sager I have a W2 as well as K1, this is in NJ, is it customary for a lender to keep me in limbo instead of rejecting the loan?

Always ask for the moon and welcome rejection.

I can see where it would be daunting for a new person to reach out and contact owners one off and I suspect there would be a 6 out of 10 rejection rate just based on the concept being outside of most peoples comfort zone.

For one, you must consider combined income as your level to qualify on income.I have it in my written criteria that if one applicant fails the screening, the whole group is rejected.Maybe you can reject because one has no landlord references.