in my humble experience...rent to best qualified first foremost. only after application, background, verified credit  i use www.rentapplication.net/then yes cash up front for deposit, plus first last months rent, leaves 4 months. i add extra for pets too.i rented in both summer and winter. dont mind either.i rented just before christmas. people need house all year. lazy picky ones only move in june. loli did offer free use of my trailer or discount if moved in before next storm, Christmas etc. 

Looking to try and get a home using existing financing.I understand how to sell it to the seller by letting them know that it could help their credit because I will be making full payments on time, that I will be able to offer more money to them because I won't have to get new financing, and that they will still get their equity out right away.I understand how to buy the property using lines 203 and 503 of the HUD-1 "Subject to existing financing" and ensuring that the title company being used has closed using sub-to financing before.What I am unsure about it how to verify with the bank that the seller is current.

But definitely verify the numbers like others have suggested.

Closer to a new build where the builder performs tasks and the bank verifies goal lines are met before releasing funds.Just my 2 cents and good luck!

Progress payments to be made upon your inspection and approval, holding out at least 10% until final inspection and approval of any permits, and 30 days after completion or until unconditional lien releases are submitted for all subs and materials for which preliminary 30 day notices have been filed.In larger time sensitive projects you can also negotiate for of a performance bond which would compensate you for failure to complete the project on time and to the specifications in the contract.Always check the status of the contractors license with your state contractors licensing agency and verify that the guy signing the contract actually is the contractor whose license is being provided.

Two identical properties next door (don't know condition or finishings) are assessed at 235k and 270k. 

@Alec McGinnOK, sent you the details of my portfolio in a message, because I would prefer not to put a target on my back for identity thieves.

In addition to the above questions, here's a list of of tips and tricks that you should do to verify the information provided by the syndicator.

I am a genius at marketing wether it being facebook ads or building my own identity so I am not to worried about the market aspect more so the actual real estate aspect.

Before accepting a tenant you should screen them properly such as verifying employment, credit, clean background.