Make the tenant put all utilities into their name before they get the keys to move in.You call the utility company and tell them you are the owner and want to verify that your new tenant has put the utilities into their name.

On top of that, the surveyor was unable to verify whether the street was public or private.

If their income can be verified and they qualify they just might be good renters.

I keep telling myself that is why I'm working, so we can get to to that point, and get the kids through college!

A lot of work, yes, but you do what you have to to make them work, which was/is a whole lot easier with one purchase agreement.With current mortgage and title standards, this may be a little tougher to do, but would probably still work (and satisfy full disclosure), even if you as the "B" party are on the HUD as "Option Repurchase Seller".Anyone have a thought on this approach in the current mortgage world?

is there a certain protocol for calling to check an applicants employment or rental history?

what are some good questions to ask?
is there anything that is off limits?

thanks

Also, I agree entirely that if somebody buys a deal from anybody and loses money, they have but only one person to blame - the person staring back at them in the mirror (unless they were the victim of fraud or some sort of deceit) You present a deal and give the numbers, it is the buyers full responsibility to verify those numbers before taking down the property. - Agreed!

But I do verify income.

. $1,000.00 over the highest and best offer received by a bonifide buyer up to $XXX,XXX.XX, with such offer being verifiable by buyer's agent four days prior to.

Get past those red flags, verify all information and you will be ok.