I'm currently taking Real Estate courses and am looking to be licensed within the next couple of months.

Do all banks/credit union need one ?

And of course ask for discount in return, since he want's money up front.  3.

I'm open to any advices, online courses and willing to learn. =)) 

And of course, the HOA could have restrictions that don't allow that sort of thing and the HOA is very likely to actively enforce their CC&Rs. 

I am all for not collecting them to reduce liability and making the credit check a soft inquiry so it doesn't hurt the applicant but if you collect the SSN when signing the lease how do you verify that it is their actually SSN and not just a made up number?

I am looking for responses from people that has used credit unions in the Chicagoland area and surrounding suburbs for HELOCS.

Of course you can't qualify them, if they just moved here from China.  

Of course, there are still ways to get scammed doing this, but sharing incentives and ownership such that there is skin in the game GREATLY reduces these risks.

Went through the Free Course here on bigger pockets and have been listening to the podcasts/reading the blogs daily.