Do a cash for keys deal and just try to get them out early… I’ve thought about offering that if they leave by the end of November (~60 days notice) that I’d give them November free + $500 in moving expenses and return of security deposit if left in good condition3.

Deposit AmountThose are the 4 items you have to play with that do the negotiating. 

Working with a HML requiring a non-refundable earnest money deposit…What due diligence do you perform before sending that deposit to minimize risk?

I’m a new landlord in CA and missed the 21 day window to return the security deposit (I thought I had 30 days).

Quote from @Marc Brandon: How much was the deposit?

I paid it...Didn't  find a buyer and lost the deposit. 

As long as you price it correctly, people will see the house condition matches the listing photos (professionally done), they will take the property as soon as they see it.

You get an estoppel from each tenant saying this is how much rent I’m paying, this is how big a security deposit I gave, here’s who pays for utilities, when my lease ends, etc etc. 

So I made a compromise with myself, instead of putting that $100 directly to my principle, I'm opening a brokerage account that will have $100 deposited into it automatically every month and invested in index funds using dollar cost averaging method.

Consider all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.5.