The fact that you are trying so hard to hide it should send up red flags all around you and the transaction.

If they do, and there are no other red flags on the prospect's screening report, I would feel comfortable moving forward with them. 

We are knee deep in a complete flip, I have a few real estate clients that I put at my number one priority and oh, did I mention I still work full time as an office manager. 

I'd also use this as a red flag opportunity to ask the seller why they are asking you to do something that is so far out of standard business practices.

I am aware that these home could be somewhere deep in the foreclosure process and they could be on some bankers desk amongst thousands of other homes? 

I simply offered him an application (which he would not take, a real red flag as I find those with serious eviction, credit issues, or criminal history treat my app like a vampire does daylight, literally moving away from it....)...Short answer--it does not matter much to me--all up front or monthly...

Sorry to be so negative, but your own instincts seem to be putting up red flags...

Is it a red flag?

Are there differences in investing with different hotel brands (i.e. a Red Roof Inn versus a Hilton versus a Holiday Inn asset)?

I don't have deep pockets to spend with big companies charging a monthly fortune to help me manage.