Each one is looked at individually.

Now some banks might have a total lending cap for any one individual.

You may find later on that assigning contracts as a business venture can be different in the eyes of regulators and others involved in RE than an individual who just assigned a sales contract.

Then see if you can work for/with them in some role...maybe as a research assistant, or if they are an adviser for a club on campus join that club and try to get into a leadership role within the club so you have a chance to rub shoulders with them outside of the classroom and maybe in a more relaxed setting than even the club duties.

I believe it goes back to what the agent said individuals who have been pre-qualified but when the bank makes it's final decision they don't meet the criteria of having enough for closing and three months of the mortgage in savings people or the other numerous stipulations. 

If the LL is a big organization like a REIT they may be unwilling or unable to negotiate lease terms with individual tenants.Or maybe the LL just thinks their space is hot enough that they don't need to negotiate as another tenant will accept the default lease terms.

Individual properties AND an umbrella liability policy.

My guess is yes, but you cannot hold more than 1 month's rent as security deposit and the amount collected must go into an interest bearing account (which is .05% today) - 1 account per tenant OR you have to keep track of individual interest allocated if you co-mingle money.  

I have noticed anyone and everyone in South Florida thinks they should get a real estate license; I would be a proponent of making it much more difficult to et a license, maybe resulting in individuals getting a license as a career choice, not a weekend whim.

I'm going through the county records and I keep seeing tax liens held by a third party (LLCs, individuals, etc.).