I won't deal with these FRAUDS at all, let alone paying in advance!

I've noticed another identical property in my neighborhood renting at $1475, so I'm still competitive.

Ask your banker, unfortunately bank fraud is pretty easy to commit.

Sounds like mortgage fraud to me.

Few lenders bring the fees up, but most have them.Look at it from this perspective (theoretical): Two identical loans, one contractor requires the money to be paid throughout the project (say 5 times), the other contractor doesn't need the money til the end of the project (big pockets?).

Somehow people have started confusing equity skimming with buying homes below fair market value.Outside of the banking industry, the most common type of scam that people link with equity skimming, is a type of foreclosure fraud.

You use all your same professionals and the process is identical with the exception of the addition of your qualified intermediary who coordinates the exchange with your regular professionals.  

I feel like a fraud.

I certainly don't want to commit mortgage fraud but want to be fair to my tenant.

- once I get a good application back, what other materials should I request from the tenant to verify income, identity, etc?