Lastly, if the tenant does become delinquent and we have to file a claim with Rhino Insurance to collect their deposit, we're adding to the financial woes of that tenant and putting them into an even worse financial position when they wouldn't have qualified in the first place.Thoughts?

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

You definitely want a legal agreement that's forecloseable, getting as much front money as possible so that you're not just in a lurch with nothing if/when they default, and you should get better interest terms for "being the bank" AND I would qualify the buyer just the same as if they had to go to a bank, because you want to know who your partner is in this deal.

Take the $250,000 primary residence exclusion every two years .  

If it needs that much work will a traditional lender finance it and are you qualified to get financing?

What are fees associated with the Qualified Intermediary holding onto this money?

The property was my primary residence for a decade and now functions as rental unit so I am happy with the purchase overall and it has worked out well.

The Taxable Value is uncapped and equated to the SEV upon a sale or other transfer of property ownership, with limited exceptions.Homestead versus Non-Homestead Millage RatesCounties & cities in Michigan are allowed to set their own millage rates, with one restriction – a primary residence (Homestead) is exempt from up to 18 mills of school taxes on their Homestead property.

@Brett JurgensThe "2 out of the last 5-year rule" in real estate allows homeowners to exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples) of capital gains from the sale of their primary residence if they lived in the home for at least two out of the five years before the sale.

Be sure to do a thorough credit and background check, as well as a residence and employment verification.