I have looked at listings and NOT messaged them through Realtor.com or Zillow, so they wouldn't get charged $50 or more for a lead.Some have not responded  for over a week, which is bloody astonishing.It seems to me that this is the root of the problem - agents who don't respond to their public-facing emails. 

|Questions:Does this scream run-away to anyone?

It's very likely, you got played  fair & square per the letter of the law but if it makes you happy to scream at the top of the mountain go for it.

One does not need to find a screaming deal. 

If so, where they get their $ from as that is screaming ultra competitive (1% below other rates we are seeing) Not without a hard core buy down with a 5-year pre-pay.

I don't think that happens without one two things; a harsh hit in the economy or a light hit in the economy + 10 year screaming.

My gut tells me this is gonna get bloody, mighty bloody. 

Unfortunately, real estate is pretty efficient, so high returns should scream to you high risk.  

I’ve had hundreds of mentors across the world throughout different phases of my business journey — and not once did I get ahead by sitting around reading books and forums while trying to avoid every risk.Let’s break down the pattern here.Someone hears “$50K profit” and immediately screams scam.

you could get a DSCR loan, but recognize you would need to have 25% equity in the deal or more and you will still have to guarantee the loan - unless its a screaming lower interest rate you are getting, it may not be worth the expense to refinance.