I want to give them their holding deposit back and deny leasing to them.

Ive been in contact with a real estate investor friendly realtor I was matched up with through the bigger pockets website.

Does a landlord let a tenant move in without first month rent and security deposit ?  

Did the tenant receive their entire deposit back after vacating?

but it sounds like your mind is made up on this mentor.. flipping right now is a pretty tough gig for a beginner depending on market. very low inventory then sky high rates for your buyers. so use caution be careful also make sure you have a GREAT RE Broker who knows the values and what you should and shouldn't do in the rehab to maximize your returns. these things are very market specific U simply need to make sure your matching what is expected in the market you choose.. 

The paperwork to get them setup almost always meant my first rent check from agency would be about 45 days after lease start, so you need to float that.Tenants always paid with Money Order or cash, both required an actual visit to bank versus standard check that could be mobile deposited or ACH.Neutral:My tenants were not "light" on the property, but generally not overly hard either.  

Then you match that equity with a loan from a bank for 9%, and leverage up the note fund to 80% LTV.  

IREM President Libby Ekre, CPM, shares five essential things to look for:Licenses & Certifications – Ensure the firm has certifications like CPM or ARM, guaranteeing adherence to industry standards.Regional Experience – Local market knowledge is crucial, especially for properties in smaller cities.Property Type Expertise – Match the company’s strengths with your specific property type for better management.Company Culture – Look for a firm that values customer service and team management.

Low class outfit ... one of my borrower/ clients went into escrow with them last week and  put up the non refundable money getting ready to close and well  the title needs to be probated.. so these guys dont run title until they have your deposit.. will see if and how easy they give my client back his money since it did not close on the closing date and no extension was given or signed..

Assembly Bill 1771, also known as the California Housing Speculation Act, aims to change real estate tax policy to discourage investors from quickly reselling properties like single-family homes.Under the proposed bill, an additional 25% tax would be imposed on the gain from the sale of a qualified asset (including homes) within three years of the previous sale.The tax reduction is dependent on the number of years passed since the initial purchase of the qualified asset, ranging from a 20% reduction for sales occurring between 3.01 to 4 years to a 100% reduction for sales occurring more than seven years after the initial purchase.The revenues generated by this tax increase would be deposited into the Speculation Recapture Community Reinvestment Fund, which aims to support affordable housing, local governments, schools, and infrastructure projects.The bill is introduced by Assembly Member Ward, and the proposed tax changes would take effect from January 1, 2023.Assembly Member Ward argues that short-term investors in the market, including fix and flip investors, contribute to rising housing prices, limiting opportunities for Californians to purchase homes.While the bill may discourage short-term speculative transactions, it is worth noting that California's tax laws still provide certain advantages for investors, including unlimited tax write-offs and depreciation benefits.The bill is subject to legislative approval, and Assembly Member Ward will speak publicly about the bill at the San Diego County Administration Center on a specified date.Please note that this is a simplified summary of the bill and its potential impact on fix and flip investors.