A lead is nothing more than a hint that some sort of business might be possible, it isn't even a prospect where the targeted party has expressed an interest in a particular business transaction and a prospect  is not a customer or client until they agree to transact some business with you.

My biggest worry with a Section 8 housemate is that the individuals reason for needing assistance would be something that would make them a challenging neighbor, and you are not allowed to ask if a prospective tenant has a mental illness. 

Heck, offer to pay for a haircut and see if your prospective tenant is any good at what he does! 

And yes, I would trust my accountant friend to receive the proceeds from a real estate transaction and place the money in escrow in such a manner that I never touch it,  hold documentation for three prospective properties, and later release the escrowed funds when I close on a property or fail to close on one.  

@Mike SattemYou might want to step back and not try to sway the appraisal because they know their job, and if you don't like the outcome dispute it, and some lenders will back away when a borrower suggests anything.

You sound as excited as I am about the prospects!

Personally, I don't think there is much merit in trying to say I planned for any different outcome, even though I am open to any alternate outcome.

"An important ruling has been issued by the Massachusetts Federal Court that has big waves in the residential management community - many of the commonplace "fees" charged to Tenants and Prospects are now unlawful.

Will Fannie negotiate with two (or more) prospective buyers?  

It would give them the opportunity to meet prospective clients.