I wouldn't touch a cc or box store credit loan with a 10-ft pole these days, but remembering where I was starting out, I utilized all those low interest credit options.  

No CC and small car payment.

One the loan was paid I closed the account.2) I got a secured credit card where you take like $300 and send it to the CC company.

I've read this thread too many times, Brian C.

Higher the asset class obviously the less cash flow but my $100 is based on C-C+ multifamily.

Every neighborhood will see pricing and rent tailwinds because of all the tech jobs in the area (starting total comp for an New Grad Engineer at Google in Durham is in the neighborhood of 160K), but there will likely always be Class C/C- areas.

I have a Capital VentureOne CC and get 2% back on everything. 

They're typically in C, C+, or B- areas as going above that is hard to find, and going below that can be risky.

I do credit and background check and advertise that this is a cost they incur (to be fair, I tell them there is no fee to apply and after we have reviewed the application and decided to move forward only then will they incur the credit/background check fee of $35 per adult)  The service I use is mysmartmove.com becuase I never have to see the SSN or CC number, all I do is put in their email address and the website does the rest.  

Next time email your agent and cc the seller's agent, seller, and lender (and anyone else that might be relevant) that way everyone is on the same page about what is needed and there is one central channel of communication.