Regarding skip tracing, Tracers is a good resource as TLO has been declining more folks the past year When I had my HML shop we had an Accurint product that was called fraud detector for loan applications.. it was amazing  what is out there. 

It’s not necessary for him to lease out the store front to afford the mortgage payments.

You need to store info, collect rent and keep all correspondence in one place.   

Your agent will have the comps and she might know more about the property than you may know because she has access to the applicable  information or she knows where to get it.  

There are lenders that will allow up to 85% financing on an investment property and 90% on a second home purchase assuming applicant meets program requirements. 

Most of our shopping is done on Wayfair and amazon, however we like Poly and Bark for furniture and other sites or local stores if we want to really focus on one or two areas of the house that will be the first couple photos to stand out online.  

What is the best way to screen international applicants? 

They do NOT partner with banks and they do NOT do anything but fill out credit card applications.

Documentation of applicants prior experience managing rental units or other background involving property maintenance. 

I recently read in a book that suggested I should open a dual checking and savings account, and take the security deposits from my future tenants and store them in the savings account, then use the checking to pay the mortgage or maintenance fees.