I suspect you'll have better luck with lenders or brokers that are 'non-bank', but if you do insist on working with a bank, I would avoid big banks.

If someone INSISTS they want earnest money, I would try to keep it no more than $100.

As tenants they may INSIST that YOU make those repairs.Bottom line: Just because a deal could be made, doesn’t mean it should be made.  

You’re speaking in absolutes so, honestly, your advice in this case is pretty bad.You’re insisting that the people on these lists explicitly don’t want to sell.

If you insist on buying the materials and then don't have everything they need, that is a surefire way to sour the relationship. 

If they insist on complaining, give them options for terminating the lease and moving.

I hope I don't see you all over these forums one day insisting you did it all by yourself and telling people who aren't as fortunate as you were that it's all about pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps no matter what your personal circumstances.

. - Guest insists booking was made because of moderate cancellation policy.

(Whether this makes financial sense is probably a discussion for another post) Should I insist on meeting prospective tenants face to face before agreeing to lease to them?

Other buyers were not willing to deal with the sometimes frustrating process of short sales and the associated lienholder approval process, so he was able to come out on top due to his patience and insistence on buying based on the numbers.