How would lender secure the loan? 

You can also require a paren on the lease for any student as a back up to cover damage outside the first. last and security.

Hi,I'm a Security Engineer by day and looking to learn more about real estate investing.

Yes, an entity can be appointed as attorney-in-fact for an individual.My concern about the above... an attorney-in-fact depositing the funds of the principal into their own account would be an obvious breach of fiduciary duty.

We are currently researching a $0 security deposit option for tenants.

Sold the back building which was NOT part of the security for the loan, paid off the 11% mortgage and refinanced with a 20 year fixed 4% mortgage, paying down about $400k.  

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.

note: they do have enough money to cover the first, last, and security deposit

Remember, most of these loans are not like your house loan, where the house is collateral, but really YOU and your income are the security of the loan.  

There are handful of crowdfunding lending companies emerged lately.They all seem to share a need to be an accredited investor to start investing.In order for an individual to qualify as an accredited investor, he or she must accomplish at least one of the following:1) earn an individual income of more than $200,000 per year, or a joint income of $300,000, in each of the last two years and expect to reasonably maintain the same level of income.2) have a net worth exceeding $1 million, either individually or jointly with his or her spouse.3) be a general partner, executive officer, director or a related combination thereof for the issuer of a security being offered.How strict is the accreditation requirement is being followed?