I personally don't like getting a lot of automated messages when I rent a STR, I'd rather have some more personal contact.....

Quote from @John Busch: Truly appreciate the multiple responses and look forward to continuing our communication as we live in Southern CA and do not have many contacts in that part of the county. 

As a platinum member I also have my own team to contact when looking for advice or help reviewing documents.

For instance, mismatched names, employment details, or salary figures should warrant further scrutiny.Urgency to Move In: Applicants who are unusually pushy about quick move-in dates may be attempting to bypass thorough checks.Reluctance to Provide References: Hesitation or refusal to provide contactable references from previous landlords or employers is a cause for concern.Cash Offers for Faster Move-In: Proposals to pay a significant amount up front, especially in cash, to expedite the moving process can sometimes indicate an attempt to avoid scrutiny.Unverifiable Identity: Difficulty in verifying the applicant’s identity through standard identification documents can indicate potential fraud.Tips to Mitigate Rental Application Fraud:Enhance Verification Processes: Implement stringent verification processes for employment, previous rental history, and identity.

If you haven't already done so, consider contacting your insurance provider to add your property manager as an additional insured today.

Most people bring their own.We also have a bin of razors, q-tips, cotton balls and even a bunch of contact lens cases in the master bath.

Finding the correct contact info is hard enough, but if your pitch is that they should sell cheap now, you're misreading the market.Multifamily properties are worth significantly less now than they were just a few years ago, and asking for a further discount due to property condition would probably result in a loss, maybe not even pay off the debt.

Tell them you strive for a 5 star experience.Have your automated checkout message say if there is any reason they don't think you deserve a 5 star review to contact you first and see if there is anything you can fix.

Wholesale, foreclosure, and seller financing can work too, but I’ve noticed that careful analysis and having reliable local contacts often deliver the best results over time.So as you two gear up for your first flip, how are you balancing the potential risk with your long-term goal of buying rentals?

House HackAttend as many REI meetups as you can to grow your network of investors for referrals, help through challenges you may incur but don't have experience with, and learn from proven guest speakersNetworking app like blinq to compile all of your contacts for REI in one area with phone and emailbegin conversations with local credit unions exploring what type of loan products they offer