If you have a "safer" justification for the denial, like bad credit or not enough work history, use that.

If he has reasonable justification for the incident and he has nothing but flawless character references, I think you would be safe to move forward.

You need to nip this in the bud; I see no reason why your "no" needs any elaboration, justification or explanation at all.

I suggest you list out some of your current and past project that shows passion, dedication,hard work, and if you really want to impress, discuss where you failed in those projects and what you learned from them.Also, I wouldn't restrict mentors locally, expand your horizon, remote mentors can just if not be more valuable (depending on how the mentor is).  

I realize I am not going to get a jump up from my purchase price without justification (increased rents, lower expenses, etc).

Mix in some more 'top of the market' properties with better chances to appreciate.Main longer term strategic justification here, to me, is ability/options to use access to financing. 

- came back and agreed with the appraisers value, stating various reasons why my comps did not work, and included no justification for my other various complaints about the original appraisal.  

A person who never got a degree in the first place and uses this statement as justification for either not going to college to better themselves or to belittle the accomplishment of others out of envy/resentment/etc.

That's my justification. 

as long as there is no bait and switch like we are seeing in the industry with FAUX lenders.. then Sean can just say that one does not work and here is why or just if he is worried about execution or any other particular aspect of a loan.. that's why we that own the companys and have the dollars make the rules.