I can build a list of pros and cons regarding this small segment of the market, but I'm more curious right now about the current trends and the forecast.

Even if they are landlords in your market there are differences in the segments (low quality housing vs. high quality, single family vs. apartment).   

It may not be acceptable to the lender.We don't charge an application fee or anything like that up front, only fees that will go to third parties.Every segment of lending has its place and specific use.  

More about quality tenants later.You could segment the curve by job/income level (The following is a silly segmentation but bear with me.) as shown below. 

The luxury home market is unique and segmented from the general overall market .

Problem is that this rarely maximizes profit and can lead to longer holding times.My strategy is to provide the highest end finishes that the market segment will support.  

In a perfect world, I would have the following info:Rent rate data: similar to RentometerTrend data for area/neighborhood: sales activity, rent rates, permits pulledTrend data for property class/segment (i.e. sales for the 200k-400k range down 10%, rent rates for 2 unit C class up 5%)Relevant, market specific news (i.e. local military base laying off X for sequester). 

What I can see is that there is a lot of momentum now happening in the city from a job gowth, employer base, and recognition of it being seen as an upcoming business center that I think is causing migration of the type of demographics / segments that tend to lift cities with time.  

I agree that Loopnet is where "commercial deal go to die" when they are not good enough to attract buyers in better market segments.

What happens if someone has segmented their land so that the houses and land run through multiple parcels.