.: I'm not aware of any requirement for this.I do provide an application because it has a lot of information necessary for tracking the individual: social security number, driver license number, previous addresses, etc.When you take over an existing renter, I recommend you figure out how to get the entire file from the former manager/landlord.

I know those houses in Alameda sometimes don't have the full required 7' in the basement, but that's stuff that can be figured out.DM me if you are still looking for an architect - I am an affordable one!

I figured at some point I would visit them, but I just never have.With respect to partnering, my wife is my partner.

;I am having a tough time figuring the sweet spot on SQFT.

I was trying to figure out how to answer potential questions from owners and what benefits they receive by selling to me, like no liability from squatters as you mentioned.

Another option, to echo what @Andrew Steffens said, would be if you're serious about this business it might be worth your time to work with a licensed property manager to learn the ropes, gain some credibility, and figure out if this is something that's a good fit for you long term. 

Often times, it's figuring out our own workarounds or accepting that there are some obstacles we'll just have to deal with.

Sometimes it’s surrendering the ability to get your money back at all… see this thread on Norada Capitalhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/960/topics/1196567-nora...Unrelated to any investment I have made or even real estate, I have watched both my parents fall victim to clever marketing scams where they lost a combined 6 figure sums - both from in person marketed investments… so not something like a phone scam… but was a private placement “opportunity” not unlike how a syndications are offered, where management siphoned off investor money and used it for their own purposes.   

The better question is to figure out how to get insurance and resolving the reason that is preventing it.

As mentioned if the holding company is not solely holding or owning assets together funneling monies as a loan would further complicate if there is a default but also cause you to file extra tax returns = $...Yes you are taxed on interest income or any money that you make, does not matter how you structure it, what comes into play is not how much your taxed but how much you pay someone to figure out for you how much you need to pay and each layer is an added cost.