It will cost you probably $75 - $150 to do it - but then you could be certain who had claim to all the parts.As for financing... auctions, like you suggest, are frequently "all cash" affairs.  

We have one workshop on raising capital to make loans with that is a five day affair that we charge $10,000.00 to attend but is limited to existing customers or clients. 

You want to keep your business separate from your personal affairs.

if it is as you describe then it seems as if your mileage would simply qualify as an ordinary and necessary expense of conducting your trade or business.I'll assume you are not counting mileage for any personal affairs.

When selecting an industry association to join pay careful attention to their governmental affairs and how effective it is at the local, state and national level.

We generally have been calling it a "holding deposit" here in CA, and stating that it will be credited toward the first month's rent.For CA, the Dept of Consumer Affairs has a section on it in their landlord tenant handbook:HOLDING DEPOSITSometimes, the tenant and the landlord will agree that the tenant will rent the unit, but the tenant cannot move in immediately. in this situation, the landlord may ask the tenant for a holding deposit.

Its so confusing because different states have different rules about this and there's differences between residential and commercial leases.To make matters even more confusing, California Department of Consumer Affairs almost sounds encouraging of receiving partial payment:http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/li...It says:"If you can't pay the full amount on time, you may want to offer to pay part of the rent.

just remember the opening Scene of Thomas Crown affair ( the lastest one)  when they are all sitting around the board room and Crown signs the deal the buyers light cigars.. then Crown Looks at them and says well guys you paid 10 million more than the best offer I had... 

Montgomery County provides a template lease here: https://montgomerycountymd.gov...The office of landlord-tenant affairs is also good resource: https://montgomerycountymd.gov...You'll also need to get a lead inspection and register through MDE if the house was built before 1978: https://mde.maryland.gov/progr...

Consumer Affairs gives them a one star rating.