#5 As noble as it is to give proper notice, I will not hold a unit empty that long.  

The unit is currently in deplorable condition, including 40-plus-year-old windows and a non-functioning furnace.

on our lease, we have a section that tenant has to initial that smoke detectors are there and functioning. 

If so, make SURE that the home is wired properly to be safe when they overload the circuit.If it were me, I would accommodate it, but I live in GA and am biased when it comes to A/C.

They did all of the loan calculations wrong, did not transfer money paid at closing to set up the escrow account, and then sold my loan to Suntrust, claiming I was in arrears when they had not properly credited  money I had paid at closing to set up the escrow account.

While you're right that a lender isn't going to make a conditional commitment with no specific property CRITERIA, a good lender will help sort through some scenarios and help you determine your qualifying amount in each.From the sellers perspective, I think it really comes down to not wanting to waste the energy of getting the home shown (which, in a lot of cases with multi-family properties, includes giving the proper notice to tenants) unless they know the person seeing it is actually capable of purchasing it.On your end though, speaking with a lender will also help you avoid wasting any time looking at properties that simply won't work.Feel free to reach out with any more questions!

@Bill Gulley  I would argue that my BS meter was on and functioning well when this strategy came across my desk!

@Paul Kessenich- in Nashville, the target market for these larger home is bachelor/bachelorette parties and other larger social functions (reunions, weddings)That is another degree of risk for long term.

I also look forward to offering any advice or feedback in areas of home renovation, design and function, where I am knowledgable.

@Chris McMahon have you tried the "Meet" function on the site to look for members in your area?