So that smells fishy..The vast majority of real estate agents do not own a rental property and have very little knowledge in that field.

There are some situations where a well-seasoned investor can borrow 100% of the purchase price and come out smelling like a rose, but only because they have the experience and they can absorb the loss if they screw up.Increase earnings.

(insurance and other considerations aside).I understand that the numbers were just an example but agree with everyone else, uphill battle very hard sell.

In a duplex that stuff would  smell so I don't think the other unit would have missed it. 

You have no basis for saying “no harm, no foul” applies to finance.

That smells like the bathrooms you want to renovate!  

Words are weapons, contrary opinions and words cause physical and mental abuse that should be responded to with force, need authority to step in to solve problems, everyone needs protection, trust emotions over reason, avoid bad experiences at all costs, the world is black and white battle between good people and evil people (there is no middle ground), etc.

I agree with @Russell Brazil -- you can, but it's an uphill battle to become successful.

Property managers consistently battled for contracts with multifamily management level fees (4-6% monthly), even while the SFR asset class lacked the best (and most important) part of multi-family: uniformity and density.

Just pay him for his time and he will teach you everything about the law that he knows and that is most of the battle.