It is cost effective and doesn't take anything more than an email address.

It has been my experience that the appraisals for re-fis are how shall we say it less generous than arms lenght purchase transactions.

There is always power in numbers.I've read in an article from the Chester county area paper that due to poverty strickened families moving into certain boroughs(increased by an average 20% from 2012 to 2013) it effects the schools in those townships which in turn causes tax increase in those boroughs.

The solution for the escrow will be how your POA is worded.The POA is the most powerful document on a sub2 transaction IMO - that said your job will be to forward this doc to the lender(s).

Properties that have no equity can only be a deal if 1. you can force a great deal of appreciation or increased value in the short term or 2. allows you to some related transaction that has a greater value, like I buy a house with 20 acres that I can subdivide or 3. provides a cash flow that pays for the managerial efforts over the term with a profit.If a property has no equity there is no room in the value to negotiate an equitable deal.

As to pre-payment penalties, you need to check state laws concerning residential or private financing transactions.

It never comes up with my clients on commercial transactions.

He said in his 17 years of closing real estate transactions that was a personal record low of his.

What effect does that have on whether or not they approve the loan?

It could simply be insurance costs or other normal transaction costs.