I'll let you in on a secret - I have one myself and it's against the rules. 

The secret to a successful negotiation is figuring out what the seller wants, and offering something as close to that as possible, so he'll accept your offer. 

by accounting for the portion of her rental that is used for occasional business at home and that it exceeds 600/yr so she needs to issue owner a 1099. she also mentioned not wanting her rent to go 'under the table' and that she doesn't like the idea of any secret slumlord diverting her rental income overseas tax-free maybe even for terrorism back home.cringe and she already signed the contract and was given the keys!

So, you make your money selling the "secret".  

Fast forward a couple years later, when I applied to an apartment I was secretly told by the leasing agent that an eviction came back with my credit/background information( I did my due diligence and found out that my former roommate skipped.)

Is there any secret or tip as how to untangle these cords?

If you are serious go buy Roger Dawson's audiobook the secrets of power negotiating and listen to it often.

[But there are of course gurus who want to share their "secrets" for an ever-increasing price, saying you can].Here on BP, it IS mainly Real Estate that's seen as a better answer.

This is not a secret but with so many trying to sell out of state to Cali types it seems to get overlooked on BP.

I know this is like asking a famous chef for his/her secret recipe but I'm hoping my BP family will help a fellow investor.