I mostly have been relying on article from the Internet and get a sense of what others ore saying.

Rather we rely on the cost, sales and income approach.

Aniket M. don't rely solely on the 1 picture to determine the condition of the property.

If you are simply relying on what is currently available on the open market, you will continue to get the same results you are getting now. 

The more information then better.If you don't have a large cash buyers list and your relying on craigslist than your going to have a tuff time.

Unless they're in an extreme cash flow crunch and are relying on the prepays as a stopgap (or don't intend to pay the taxes in a timely fashion), I can't see what this nets them.Anyone have insight into what might be motivating their unwillingness to work with us on this seemingly innocuous aspect of our relationship?

@Cameron - I will definitely will rely heavily on the background check and references.

Down payments can be raised via a myriad of ways, but raising those funds, no matter how, hinges on the numbers working and, you guessed it, experience.To a point, you can rely on a solid property management company to help keep the property from going off the tracks, but they're not the guarantor so they only count so much in a lender's eyes. 

By issuing a "warranty" to make up losses, the company itself, that you are relying on for the warranty, is being weakened.  

In short, do not rely only on the MLS to get your first deal - you are going to constantly run into "highest and best" offer situations for good deals...