You can answer questions and even demonstrate some feature that might not be so obvious.

For example, in a theme park based on life 100 years ago, your old fashion candy store may demonstrate how candy was made long ago by hand, the employees may dress in the period, it may be next door to the ice cream store, in other words, it's not just a candy store but in makes up part of a bigger theme to provide an entertaining activity.All that said, RE activities effect other people, those you deal with, it's usually that largest financial transaction most people will ever be involved with.

The true answer is - long enough that you have demonstrated your intent to hold for productive investment use.There's two extremes - If you completed your 1031 and moved in immediately you obviously did not buy it with an intent to hold for investment. 

One final anecdote for this "numbers" section, which is extremely simplified but I think demonstrates my point.

But still no statutory holding period only your intent and how you demonstrate that. 

You can still set credit and income requirements, and as long as you can demonstrate that is your policy then you are not in violation if you deny an applicant with a voucher.  

I personally think that most of those that proclaim this, are holding units in difficult to tenant areas, so without the Section 8 their business model falls apart, but I am not an expert with 100's or 1000's of units and I am making a huge assumption that could be totally wrong and is based on a very small sample population.As for dogs....higher rent, move less frequently, sometimes it demonstrates higher level of responsibility, are all fair generalizations.

(In addition to those sources, there are a few others that are less common, such as HUD and SBA)Your track record of experience with the asset class will have significant impact on whether a loan is considered, and whether you can negotiate the terms of the loan, so be prepared to demonstrate your experience, or the team you have built around you who has the experience.Typically smaller deals under 50 spaces will be best suited for banks.

Originally posted by @Shavas Flowers:Hey I am new real estate and wanted to know the best hard money lenders for inexperience flippersI could give you a name but here's the bottom line, with no experience it's about one of 2 things, you demonstrate you have significant cash reserves (could be your reserves or someone else's as long as the someone else is committed) or you partner with someone with experience.

Those that actually need the help shouldn't have any issue with providing some additional documentation to demonstrate how they were adversely affected.