The more of the following boxes they check, the more of a red flag it is for me and the less likely I am to accept their request:  - No message with the colleague request- They're from out of my local area (and usually not even the same state)- They appear to have a sales-type job (an indication they may just want to solicit me for something)- They have zero posts in the forums

You could look at cities and towns to see the budget is shrinking or growing, and crime on the rise or falling, rioting going on or not, business moving in or out, these are good indicators of whether things are healthy or soon to be in decay.

The fact they are complaining online might be an indication the property manager dealt with them properly so be sure to ask the manager for their side of the story.I hope this basic guide helps.

The fact they are complaining online might be an indication the property manager dealt with them properly so be sure to ask the manager for their side of the story.I hope this basic guide helps.

Your contractor is correct, however you should still collect a W-9 from him that indicates his full legal name and S-Corp status along with the signature for your records. 

Follow the NAHB - they have been a leading indicator by 6 months on the previous 3 housing pullbacks.

@Alexander Felice  Can you clarify what you said earlier about not having to wait the 6 - 12 month seasoning period, if you want to refi sooner than that (as you indicated, under 9 weeks), by only taking cash out for what you had in the deal to begin with?

If the expense ratio is below 50%, it's an indication that the syndicator may be overly aggressive on either achievable rent growth or on cutting expenses.Watch the fees as well.  

With the stock market I have a pretty good idea of what indicators to look at before buying or selling a stock.

The fact they are complaining online might be an indication the property manager dealt with them properly so be sure to ask the manager for their side of the story.I hope this basic guide helps.