If you call it a Holding Deposit, you can keep it as damages if the renter fails to meet certain obligations.I would not agree to hold the property until they pay the money in full. 

You want to get in there and try to recoup as much of your damages as possible as soon as you possibly can. 

The flooding damage cost about $10,000 to repair, and now we've been going back and forth via our property manager to settle the claim with the insurance company.

There are some reputable lenders that go down to 75k - just know below that 100k loan amount level that rates and cost may seem higher because of servicing and man power inputted into the deal still cost the same for lenders and brokers involved.

That's to their advantage, not yours.My guess is damage will be tough to recover. 

Similarly, does foundation problems mean a cracked slab that’s a $80k fix, a leveling problem on a pier and beam foundation that’s a $8k fix, or minor termite damage that can be taken care of for $2k?  

Hello multi family investor gurusCat urine damages property very very bad. 

I got a quote for roof repair, but of course we are on a time crunch due to the contract, and as always you never know how much more damage they find when they open things up.

But how could I not be on edge when the entire deal, and our reputation, was hanging by a thread?

Hidden damages or poor construction can cause issues down the road.