@Joe SchmittAll really valid points Joe!

I guess if you're comparing properties with the same assumptions you can make it more valid.

If they're a Green Card Holder you can apply for owner occupied loan with that as long as they have valid funds and employment sustaining the debt. 

This is why we have dual escrow is to make sure end buyer and seller don't know each other.OK, I'm going to assume you're arranging the sale of real estate in expectation of a fee and don't have a valid RE license also.I can't believe that I'm saying brokers are more ethical than someone else. 

As a baseline, there is the empirically quasi-validated 4% rule that provides, roughly, that your asset (invested in a diversified mix of stock and bonds) can be depended on to provide 30 years of income if you withdraw 4% + an inflation factor. 

You do not want to own the mansion that rents for 6k in Omaha, but it may be a valid rent in San Francisco.

I was just coming here to validate my understanding of the information, because I am not a tax professional.

You do what I note in the post and validate the next factor

I think your first 2 points are valid and interesting.

When you get your bids, pay close attention to each scope to ensure you have apples-to-apples bids, the payment terms and it is also very important to note the warranty information.