I don't want to deny him his animal - and chances are really high that the true ESA will be well behaved.The frauds need to be weeded out, I like the story and retort from the landlord that @Sheila F. 

Nicholas Lohr I would first urge you to look at it from your future partner's point of view.Cash is king and if your partner is putting in the money, chances are they will want the deed in their or their entities name or in escrow but NOT in an entity they do not control.I am assuming this is a flip but if not there are other considerations.What equity split do you have in mind?

Things like small apartments can be a good selection and the sellers tend to be more motivated and sell better deals with a chance of making money without any prior experience according to a guy that says that is what he first did part time while he had a W-2 job and he had no prior experience.  

I'm calling my agent now.. and reporting the situation.. had I not met the tenant last night in the driveway by chance, I honestly don't know how I would have found out what happened.

I normally say when you find a deal with the right numbers, positive cash flow.However I believe the market is at a peek, with the economy and politics as they are now pointing toward inflation and rising interest rates if you have cash to invest you may want to wait awhile, there is a good chance the markets will turn in the next two years and the vultures will feast.

So, I do not chance it and just do the 4 (actually 3, I do not do the lock fee).

If I go ahead with finding/purchasing a duplex in the next few months, will it affect my chances of approval for the car loan by the end of the year?

This may be your chance to downsize permanently with only rent and no responsibilities or to use as a vacation home and live in and around the predominance of multi million dollar MANSIONS.

But if you can read people and feel in your gut that you are making the right decision, give people a chance.

@Chance Housos Thanks for that advice!