I am apparently good with numbers according to my friends(bachelors in math) and I am also a newb so maybe I don't know how much math is to come so maybe I am biased to an irrational degree but here are my thoughts.So far the math is pretty simple in real estate and I havent seen people using too many advanced math techniques.

Jeremy,  Full disclosure I am a contractor In NC and a few other states so I am naturally biased but here are my 2 cents.  

Thus, my own bias of course, I think the best use remains residential.Is it possible to challenge or request a second opinion on the appraisals "best use"?  

The rules of Monopoly are such that a mortgaged property CAN NOT cash flow.I'm a little bit biased, to be fair, but I'm going to have to go ahead and disagree with that...Furthermore, a political agenda is revealed by the notion that you can just pay a little money to get out of jail.The premise that your real estate success depends on a role of the dice is additional condemnation of the game.

That analogy of a tenant is the most assumptive and biased I have ever seen!

As real estate investors, we can make a big difference by making sure we are not discriminating based on gender, race, etc.  

BTW, usually there is a way to mitigate some, what I would call, prejudicial biases.

Or do we run in to any fair housing issues if we specify a single gender?

On the other hand, regulations have have become increasingly biased against industrial companies4) Office comes in many shapes and sizes, but is getting influenced by technology and demographic factors.  

I am biased, and feel strongly the #1 mistake is not establishing rental acceptance criteria prior to vetting applicants -- which then allows for emotion in the critical phase of selecting residents.