So be wary of a lender saying "yeah, just submit an application and we can tell you what you qualify for"....try someone else if you run into that.Feel free to post anything else if you need.  

I upload documents on their portal, pay for the appraisal, wait for an indeterminate period of time; I close in an LLC, and don't have to show tax returns. 

The borrower had shown the court proof of insurance prior, unfortunately it was fraudulent documentation created by the borrower.

-Document regular receipt of income for the most recent 12 months.

What is required  varies by state so the best process is to put the request in writing with documented temperatures that the HVAC is heating to. 

(Before we had a partner/coach with a track record, we were submitting LOIs on deals - and many times we were the highest offer and STILL not getting it because they went with an experienced operator who they knew could close it.)

On a larger scale, how do you protect yourself from losing any money when submitting offers on deals that you need to back out of (any and all contingencies). 

Whatever you do end up doing, if you do not buy the property, make sure everything is done in a rock-solid legal document.

Always document, have them sign an addendum to the lease if it all possible with a very short description of mutual agreement termination (no need to be specific here, I would suggest just termination dates by mutual agreement... period).   

I would also document everything including all damages and expenses to fix the place.