Like @J Scott stated, this could be a good thing that happened to me, now I know how I can influence the closings with higher success rate.Thanks for the suggestion Account Closed

Still, I find myself with an enormous amount of information and not quite sure what data would be best to influence my decisions. 

I would suggest starting conversations with people in your circle of influence to see if anyone they know might be interested in becoming a private lender.

In some cultures it would be considered strange to move out unless getting married so I wonder if this could be influencing your parents desire for you to stay there.

Ive got other properties that didnt cash flow at all a decade ago, and today after a decade of high rent growth they are cash cows.So I guess then maybe the cap rate and cash flow do influence my decision...I prefer low cap rate properties.

Has anyone been influenced in their real estate career by what this guy did in his? 

Probably, but a low appraisal will generally have a psychological influence on the buyer, and will tend to make them not want to purchase at the agreed upon price (they feel they are overpaying), even if they have the means to do so.The nice thing about most cash buyers is that they won't have an appraisal, so that's one less concern...

I find it interesting too that any attempt to influence a bank officer or threaten them is also illegal and may be connected to fraud.

Also the number of "doors" you can rent should influence how much wiggle room you have.

@Jose Gonzalezbookswow my library is hugeI guess the best work book that I have on the shelf is "how to win friends and influence people"my other favorite book is "the richest man in Babylon"these books are life specific not just real estate specificin them are all the negotiation skills and the outlook on monetary gains associated with the changing times for all generationsthe best advise that I can give you is go out and look at properties and get one under contract and do a rehab- you can hack it or flip it but the more time you put into the field of looking at properties eyes on with a cut sheet you'll be a better investorenjoy