These days too many people have too little coverage in case of a rebuild so you do want to make sure you understand the true cost of a total loss.

If you can’t quantify risk and don’t understand the mechanics of “weighted” average of expected return and range of returns (standard deviation) then you are at a severe disadvantage and should consider a competent investment / financial manager for your investment capital.  

I guess my problem with being too up front about seeing their place is that I don't feel like I'm in a position of power right now to decline people since it's hard enough to find people that I want to even get to that point in the application process in the first place, but I have to snap out of that mindset and have to instead come from a place where I make them believe that I have a lot of other applicants and that it's my standard policy and it's something they'll have to go through if they want my place.....ESPECIALLY if I decide to only take 1st & security from them rather than 1st/last/security.Thanks again!

My goal is to gain a solid understanding of the process, master deal analysis, and ultimately close my first deal.Right now, I’m focused on learning the basics — from finding motivated sellers to building a strong network of cash buyers.

Just a follow up question, were you utilizing debt to invest, I have always been taught since a young age to try and not utilize debt (I come from a family of stock market investors, traditional business owners) where debt is not utilized as frequently which I obviously understand debt can be a very powerful tool and utilized in a great way its just something I want to avoid with my investments to an extent any suggestions for investing without debt or as little as possible. 

It is my understanding that people refinance and then use those funds other ways (personal living, investing, some to buy another property) as a means to minimize tax obligation. 

Again, all answers that might be better answered in private.You are correct that a lot of lenders just don't understand how we work as investors but that's why some of us hang out here. 

If not, understand the risk of taking equity to generate more equity based off your ROI.

I think most of horror stories came from people who do not understand how insurance system works.

  $200/month divides into the $100K initial negative equals 500 months to recover the initial negative equity.Let's double the cash flow to $400/month.  250 months to recover the initial negative equity so over 20 years.Let's reduce the negative equity position to $50K (which likely is less realistic than expecting $400/month cash flow at that rent point), you are at over 10 years to recover the initial equity position.Now let's do it with all cash, no financing.The 50% rule state $900/month cash flow.  900 * 12/200K = $5.4% or about half of lifetime return of S&P 500, or what can almost be achieved with a zero work, zero risk CD.I see no way that someone who understands the numbers will call this a good investment.Note just because an investment is better than most other investments in a market does not imply something is a good investment.