If I believe they have taken steps to improve their situation, and I am comfortable they will continue to do so, I will often request something to mitigate my risk and move forward anyway. 

There are several reasons, actually:Article 16 of the National Association of Realtor's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice prevents us from soliciting business from another realtor.

Disclaimer: While I’m an attorney licensed to practice in PA, I’m not your attorney.

Disclaimer: While I’m an attorney licensed to practice in PA, I’m not your attorney.

Does the wholesaler have real estate license to practice real estate?

I will be improving my picture soon but didn't want to keep using not having one as an excuse.

The longer the better of course but there are all sorts of things that can go into demonstrating your intent including actual rental, current practice, past history, correspondence with your team etc.

What is the best practice for a buy and hold strategy on SFR’s?

So I don't think his main plan was to force appreciation for 3-7 years, then sell after the NOI was maximized.Is it possible that super expensive real estate like the kind Trump might buy does appreciate that much just by the market without forcing any improvements in NOI?

i'm looking for the forum's advice on the most efficient/effective way of weeding out properties. i'll be living in the property for at least a year. while i live there, i'll be living in it (so property can't be a complete rehab), fixing or improving the property, and then either flipping or renting out the property. i've looked at about 18 properties the past 3 weekends (i just started 3 weeks ago). the 18 properties were chosen based on 2 broad criteria: 1) based on pictures, description, and google street view, choose properties close to the metra (in illinois), in a location with a great high school (>=8 score), and in nice(r) neighborhood.2) look at zillow for an idea on property values in the neighborhood so that i'm not buying one of the most expensive houses in the neighborhood. if i feel the house i'm looking at is somewhat undervalued because it needs work and there's some room for me to flip, then house passes.this criteria has helped me weed out 100's of properties, but takes me a bit of time.i'm curious, is this a good start or are there other ways that the full time/professional investors use?