Based on your experience, do lenders typically run numbers with people with no obligation to move forward ( as in i don't want a credit run just yet, and I don't have a specific realtor or lender that I'm looking for yet, simply because i know I'm not in that position yet..

I told her the only reason I can see them doing this is because the neighborhood she lives in is not exactly winning any safety awards.

First thing I do when that paycheck comes in is pay myself. 

@Katie Fiola Jones  if buying the property I would want to make sure that it would also make sense as a long term rental,  I would also be sure to look into the regulations for the city its in.  I

The market I live in is small.

Option 2: I buy another multi-family (ideally 3 or 4 units this time), house-hack for another year and then buy a single-family home to live in. I

One of the options we are interested in is finding a lending partner.

My best advice would be  to reach out to the Historic Preservation office of the area your interested in. I

Initial in is $50k. 

You can speak in general terms, such as "Based on the results of her background check and credit report, we would need an additional security deposit of $XXX.XX to approve her move-in."Is