This is considered a hard inquiry because the renter had no direct involvement in the request.Many renters apply to multiple rental listings with different landlords.

There will be multiple ways they cross check.  

I engages in hundreds of discussions here on the BP forum on the subject of self-directed investing (which is area of my expertise) and almost all of them people are asking questions, want to learn more, etc.

Coming from a background where I am relatively nervous answering phones, my brain drew multiple blanks in the short time I was talking with the guy.

@Jason LeeRegarding the estoppel question: Absolutely a good idea, regardless of whether the lender requests it.Having one has been a huge benefit to myself as a buyer on multiple cash purchases.  

My wife and I have built multiple businesses together, we currently own a used car dealership here in the Los Angeles area and are doing well.

@Lucero SanchezYes, you can use FHA financing (which is only for owner occupied) for SFH, duplex, tri-plexes or 4 plex.you can't you for 5 or more units.you can use FHA multiple times. and the interest rates are lo and the downpayments are MUCH lower than investor loans.It pays to borrow for FHA owner occupied houses. 

If you live in a city in the county that has a tax millage rate of 60 mills, then you would multiple 35 x 60 = 2100 to get your annual taxes. 

Participated in multiple sales and learned how the business works for 2 years.

@Kimberly MillerHi Kim,I don't think there is any less competition (prices are just lower but they usually need a fairly major amount of work)  for a fixer upper as I have lost out on 2 properties in multiple offer situations in the past month so evidently there's a lot of competition at the high and at the low prices-LOL