While you could get around it, I've seen HOAs change the rules, so might be risky to get in one of the neighborhoods on this type of financial plan only to see the rules change.

Can you share any metrics or spreadsheets do you use to see the following?

Make sure you go in person to see the home. 

Quote from @Denzel Faulken: If it's a decent school, I would see the location close to an elementary school as a positive.

Either do or at least over-see the work personally or stroke a check.Can't work 'on your business' vs in it and complain or be confused.

They claim they wash dishes in a bucket (we see the bucket) and don't throw any food scrap or other trash down the drain.

But I do see the way you have more control of outcome.

You can see the map in here https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/lynnwood-link-extensionThese three cities are going through a lot of up-zoning changes.

Even if you get the initial application online (which I agree is the easiest way to go) you should require that you see the driver's license of each person over 18 who is on the lease at some point in the process where you have the chance to confirm for yourself that this is who you are dealing with.

Keep in mind that appraisers look at sold listings in the area to find the current selling price of similar houses, however the appraisers never go in the sold houses to see the current condition.