Additionally, if the home has an ARV of 270K, and you were able to get it for 75K plus taxes, my guard would be immediately up to what might be wrong with the property. 

He got you to put your guard down & then provided his own credit report.

I am in a similar situation , with a great tenant , a young man in the coast guard .  

The PM company mentioned that the have recently started using buildium software to manage properties and as part of that for the first time they are requesting all of their investors to provide W9.Yes, they need your tax ID, but you're correct in trying to guard your SSN. 

I realize some of this information may be heavily guarded but any and all recommendations will be highly appreciated.

I just don't want to catch anyone off-guard and have a review that said their stay was ruined by a dog that is barking constantly.Do I talk to this neighbor about his dog and try to offer a solution? 

Needless to say I think I need to take another route.The challenge here is getting the tenants to realize the old guard is out and new rules are in place.

Don’t jump to conclusions, but know it’s a possibility and be on guard.

You’ll learn how to avoid massaging your numbers to force a bad deal through, how to guard against getting ripped off by contractors, how to hire the RIGHT team members to help you succeed, and how to fire the wrong ones!

I don't want to actually call the lender and ask, thus revealing my hand, but I also don't want to assume it's okay and get caught off-guard.