I would just make sure the funds are committed before you bid.

So far we have not had a tenant, that is established - more than a couple months in the unit, not be able to meet their rent commitment using this criteria.We have some tenants in our C area that would not have qualified if we used 3X. 

In the next year or two, I believe I'll be ready to commit to the process and start my real-estate endeavor.

I got a few buyers and sellers that way, and I just committed to treating my database like it's truly worth!!

We still green but we very committed and both know we want to live off real state!

But the problem is it will make it so easy that scammers will become prevalent and uneducated people will make more bad deals. 

I would only ever suggest someone getting into section 8 rentals if they are committed to learning the process and in's/out's of these rentals.

I guess there could be lenders who charge interest on the entire commitment, but I would steer clear of them.

The problem is Zillow has made it such a minor commitment for the renter to click "they are interested" when most of the time they don't even read the ad, and a fair amount of the time their "interest" is merely a fleeting thought as they browse. 

Higher interest rate means less buyers with commited funding, so less competition and more bargaining chip with seller if your one of the only few that can close on properties.