Loan officers or the particular lender  have nothing to do with the decision but some do like to take credit.  

Office buildings have no such backstop. 

The man is 78 years old and a vet and still delivers mail for the post office .

https://www.amazon.com/Funny-Decor-Office-Business-Aluminum/...Like this?

@Anja ScheppBest bet would be to call the title office.

He talked to the sheriffs office and they said they don't have an eviction notice and so he doesn't have to leave.

You can set up with the Post office to have all mail from the address routed to a different address, I.e. your house. 

For the first four properties that I purchased, the loan officers sent me "initial disclosures" which clearly stated the interest rate expected closing, expected monthly payment etc. 

If you have a specific property in mind, maybe call the inspectors office and get info on the process and what they are looking for when inspecting for a STR.You might be able to have one come out before the purchase to get their opinion.

You can never know 100% but if you see businesses, company offices, increasing traffic, proximity to a desirable neighborhood or area (beach, downtown, etc), odds are it will help.