•The applicant pays the background check fee and I don't have to deal with it myself•Can set your own logic and rules around what kinds of late fees to charge and when to charge them and if a tenant is late paying those rules are automatically applied•Can set the payment rules to not accept partial payments.

All an agent should do for you is list the property to generate showings => to generate applications, that YOU then screen.Now, they may actually be asking you want screening criteria you want them to advertise, which is fine.Can't answer your question though, without knowing if this is a Class A, B, C or D property - as they will all have different criteria.Here's a sample of some of what we use in our Metro Detroit market:Class A Properties:Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620 (approaching 22% probability of default), many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

I am wondering however if I should transfer the asset to my new LLC and then apply for a HELOC to get a head start on building business credit.

- Since you're acquiring the Tax Deed, does the premium apply to the amount paid or the amount of taxes, penalties, etc.?

A couple hours after I approved their application, another person that actually does qualify and has all funds available now applied.

The more leverage (debt) that is applied to a property or deal, the more cost savings you will get up front relative to the equity you put in.Let's say you buy a $10 MM dollar deal that has $3 MM of year one depreciation.If you used $7m of bank debt and only $3m of equity, your year 1 deduction will equal the amount of money you put into the deal!

Maybe the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies. 

In 2024, it is 60%.You may also have an option of applying a different method (Section 179) that can give you 100% on some of the cost segregated components, but this has its own drawbacks and complications, so it needs to be discussed with your accountant beforehand.Also, have your accountant estimate your potential tax savings before ordering cost seg.

This program applies to single family homes, condos, 2-4 units and PUDs.

Yes, you can buy books and reading on websites such as BiggerPockets and teach yourself how to invest in real estate, but key to SUCCESS is to take ACTIONS and apply what you had learned.