A good rule of thumb is to follow what’s reported onyour bank statement.For example, if your monthly bank statement shows $1,500 rental income (deposit) and a $100 expense (withdrawal), then yes.

You should open a Fidelity account and deposit your money in a money market fund (SPRXX).

Set yourself a saving target and time frame to save up more for that first deposit (down payment) on your purchase.Good luck!

Now the lease is end, they move out and want they want the deposit back.

If they are on the hook for any fees then would I just deduct that out of their security deposit?

It is a big company so the paychecks always arrive on time and they set up auto-deposit the day after our pay day.   

Now mind you, depending on what type of consulting you are in, your exposure to liability from that business activity may be very limited, thus, a sole proprietor may be fine.3rd issue, where would the rents to your property be deposited to?

There will be an initial deposit, progress payments tied to milestones, and a final payment upon project completion and satisfactory inspection.3.

I left out the most important thing - NEVER overpay a deposit for work not yet completed, that money and person/s sometimes have a way of disappearing in certain situations like that. 

we take contingent offers.. but we do require 10 to 20k non refundable release to us.. if they dont have the cash at closing then they lose the deposit .. but we dont sue them to perform. out of about 75 sales now.. we have seen probably 5 or 6 fail because their current home did not sell.