I see NY with its liberal policies destroying the economy, constantly raising taxes and scaring away jobs.  

You likely have a termite issue, or perhaps some other form of wood destroying pest. 

I would hate to invest my time and money into a home only to see it completely destroyed.

Clearly if you want to destroy an entire industry, you should hire me right now and then practice your evil laugh until the market, inevitably, crashes.)After more than a year without full-time work, I'm in no position financially to start investing in real estate...but I'm planning ahead.

That's $10,000 expense that destroy's your monthly income and I believe you said you don't have a job right now.Not trying to be a debbie downer, I hope it all works out.

First, I would say that unless you reported the pot to the police, and then they advised how to destroy or they confiscate I would image your lease drug paragraph would have no legal merit in a court of law and or may be cause to find you guilty of a crime had you not notified the police.Second, as many others have said, you should base the deposit return on the condition of the apartment unit.Third, just because you can, doesn't mean you should.I liken the security deposit return to that of a 'personal guarantee'.

I don't add anything to traditional financing due to child support destroying DTI, so I've go to look elsewhere to move on the 2nd home. 

Use these opportunities to train yourself or you will burn out too quick and destroy your ROI.

I lose my house last year because of a situation that was out of my control (long story involving an over spending relative and a friend that we housed for 3.5 years for free who ended up opening multiple credit cards under my name and completely destroying my credit ).

Good extreme; considering they aren't tenants that destroy the place, could be a very solid cashflow property year after year since students always need a place to live.