This is worrisome and raises a red flag - if he can't pay his phone bill, we feel there is a higher chance of him not paying his rent (or renter's insurance for that matter).

I know that on my applications, it says in big bold letters at the bottom that by signing this, you agree that it is okay for me to reach out to your cited sources and it is okay for them to divulge such information to me.

I just put in an offer on a duplex yesterday which the listing agent said the seller agreed to, but did not sign the contract. Initially they would not allow any buyers to do a walk through without a signed contract i...

It should be a HUGE red flag.

This wouldnt bother me, but it's the way they're labeled that raises red flags and is causing confusion.

However, there are substantial risks associated with it.In a red hot seller's market where properties are selling very quickly, with multiple bids and over asking price (which is much of the country right now), here's a strategy:Be smart about the amount you're offering. 

Hey guys, so I have this  prospective  tenant who gets $900 monthly in Social Security and a bit of other income... but with all these people who are furlowed these days, I feel that I don’t want to rely on his other ...

I have found that they typically do not honor their leases or treat me right, and this is one of the red flags I look for when screening tenants.

In my experience the CA income tax is a total red herring.

For example, if you buy a primary residence at duty station #1, live in it for a couple of years, and then rent it out when you transfer...You could then buy a second primary residence at duty station #2 with your remaining VA eligibility (which will be reduced by the amount used to guarantee house #1, and comes with a ton of red tape).