if anyone holds themselves out as any kind of lender in a public forum then they are simply  a HML end of story.

We cannot use the SHST rule because we have greater than 2% spending on just repair and maintenance.Is there a list of common spending activities on rental properties and the various current tax rules they fall under available anywhere?

And is it common to be difficult to verify all the information?

I also understand that a lot of it will all depend on what I can find in terms of a property and what kind of numbers I will see in cashflow but my thoughts are that if I look hard enough I can do better than my current situation - getting no cashflow.

Most common thing to do is use the county tax assessment.

In their website they want all my info (and of course my consent to send me all kind of things) before even giving out their contact info.

This is exactly the kind of information I’m looking for.

Large special assessments and dropping values are common in nonwarrantable condos.

I agree that meeting them in person, being friendly but firm and just assume that they were not given notice about the change so they might be a little apprehensive about it (i.e. making sure it isn't some kind of scam etc.

Do they have anything in common?