They typically want earnest money as well as pre approval or proof of funds.I've heard of people leaving money on deposit with the agent.

This is exactly what's going on.Ask them to send proof of funds or pre-approval letter first.

Your going to need to show proof of rent payments and/or short term rental income.If your buying a primary 2nd home and intending to use it as an investment property I would strongly refrain from that activity; especially if your posting about it in a public forum ;).Best of luck.

It’s a different number every time but at least then I’ll have written proof that I requested them to remove me. 

The trouble I keep finding with this is that I am self employed now, they probably will ask for 2 years of proof of income as a self/business owner, right? 

And home prices run in cycles as I learned back in the early 1990's and greatly benefited from others mistakes !

In terms of looks amd scratch proof laminate seem to be recommendedQuote from @CJ M.: @Pradeep RoyI'd prefer LVP, but that certainly wouldn't be an issue for me if my overall numbers/returns on the deal met my criteria.

These boom and bust cycles always make the boom time prices look ridiculous and the bust time prices look like the sky is falling.But the reality is this place has been steady and above average growth for decades. 

As we all know, the sales cycle.. better yet the cash conversion cycle in Real Estate Investing is quite long.

The next phase of my maturation cycle is gaining "on the job experience" in the form of GP participation before attempting to take down a deal by myself.