Hopefully, they don't go bankrupt lol - In order to get started with the process, I have to pay $1000 deposit. Fully

In our experience/opinion (factoring in security deposit to defer some of the losses):Class A - 0%Class B - 5%Class C - 10%Class D - good luckHope this all helps!

Also lower your rent a bit ($1300) and reduce your deposit to $700. 

The funds are deposited electronically each month.  

(I guess that's what the $3K to $4K deposit is for)(3) Is it difficult to find private money @ 12% over 5 years to fund these deals?

And in a few months, you will be in a good position to crank up your cash flow.We start advertising 4 months before the next school cycle with hopes of having signed leases and deposits at least 2-3 months before they move in. 

Only thing better would be initial deposit and then paid in full upon Certificate of Occupancy and punchlist complete.Of course, standard items should also be checked: licensed, insured, willing and able to pull all required permits, reference checks.I would also commonly avoid the cheapest bid you get.  

The seller’s most recent counter-offer was 90k for 30-40 day closing with a 10k non-refundable earnest money deposit.

.: I don't charge deposits for animals because deposits are fully refundable.

Each area has its own rules on how it works, but basically, you buy the house, pay a deposit and agree to rehab the house within a certain amount of time.