Usually only commercial properties with established operational expenses histories are evaluated by cap rates and then those cap rates can also be applied to buildings in certain areas representing higher or lower risk areas.

Of course, many investors bend/break this rule, but that's another risk.2) If your bid wins the foreclosure auction, you then have to deal with getting rid of any occupants - who may steal/damage everything they can in retaliation:(3) You MUST have a great crew on the ground that can minimize surprises - not easy to do on your first deal.Regardless if you buy a foreclosure or other property, read our copy & paste advice below:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

She's claiming financial hardship due to some personal issues and is asking if we can apply the deposit towards her November rent, and she'll make it up.

They're good to have open access to capital/cash/equity to a property ahead of time so you can execute a deal or purchase when the time comes on a split second decision (versus having to apply to a loan at that time which might take 20-45 days to get approved/closed/etc plus by that time you dont know what your future income/credit/assets will be like in order to qualify anyway).The second use is sleep at night factor and having a reserve of capital in the event an emergency event occurs in life.For these two reasons is why I use lines of credit.

@Patrick Shep I would absolutely encourage you to apply without any co-signor.  

I have been receiving listing from brokers offering cap rates of 3-7% in almost all 50 states, for different lease terms and guarantors.I am trying to analyze those deals in an efficient manner - weeding many deals or brochures early on, and understanding the out of state location well.Because the cap rates are all over the place (based on tenant, location and lease term), I struggle to understand if a property is fairly priced, as it is not easy to come up with a "general" cap rate to apply to each NOI.Does anyone have resources (books, podcasts, blogs) that they can share that gives pointers when analyzing NNN properties?

There is no way to know if the interested people would have applied, been accepted, or decided to move in mid-month.

The loan officer told me to come in the day after settlement to apply.

In some cases, the maxim "You can't cheat an honest man" applied.

I imagine they get their clients by referral, I mean I would'nt want the public applying through some website that's for sure.