They currently have no proof of actually being able to pay the deposit (I know this is based on the rent but the account literally has $0.00 in it).

Send it by US Mail with proof of delivery required and/or place it in an envelope with their name on it and post it on their door. 

There are meet ups all over the country; i'd recommend a google search of your area to see what pops up. i'd also suggest joining local facebook groups for your area / surrounding areas and ask there.I tend to agree with Stuart here; your first deal should be your own capital here and serve as a proof of concept you can use as an example in moving forward to try and garner money from investors for future deals.Other than bringing a deal to an experienced investor it's unlikely they will want to give capital to someone who hasn't pulled the trigger before.

This also gives tenant proof the their rent has been paid.

Barbershop and churches are pretty recession proof. 

Owner-Builder Construction Loan (Challenging but Possible)Some lenders offer owner-builder loans, but they usually require:✅ Strong financials (good credit, assets, low debt-to-income)✅ A solid construction plan, budget, and timeline✅ Proof of prior experience (renovations help, but formal experience is a plus)✅ A licensed contractor or project manager to sign off on the build2.

Some attorney somewhere may have a "fool proof" way of doing them, but I haven't seen one yet that satisfies me.I have spent a lot of time in court over title issues and won each time, but it takes away from doing the thing you'd rather do.  100% agree.

Management & Leasing FeesManagement Fee: 10% of the monthly rent = $180/monthLeasing Fee (Tenant Placement): 60% of one month’s rent = $1,080 (one-time)Lease Renewal Fee: $250 per lease renewalUpfront & Annual FeesOnboarding Fee: $350 (one-time for setting up the property)Annual Administrative Fee: $45 per year (for statements and 1099s)Reserve Fund Requirement: $300 (held for maintenance and expenses)Maintenance & RepairsOrdinary Maintenance: Any repair costs exceeding $300 require owner approval.Emergency Repairs: Up to $300 without prior approval; HVAC, plumbing, and electrical repairs can go up to $500 without approval.Home Warranty Claim Handling: $40 per claim (if applicable).Multiple Quotes Request Fee: $100 per request if you require multiple vendor quotes.HVAC Filter Supply Fee: $195 per year per HVAC unit.Repairs & Improvements: 10% markup over vendor invoice cost.Additional FeesInterest on Unpaid Sums: 10% late fee with a $39 minimum per month.Paper Check Administrative Fee: $20 per check if not using direct deposit.Insurance Documentation Penalty: $40 per month if proof of insurance is not provided.Eviction Protection Program (Optional): $15/monthProperty Damage Protection Program (Optional): $25/monthTermination FeesEarly Termination Fee: Equal to the management fees for the remaining lease term.Vacant Property Termination Fee: $500 if no tenant is in place.Transfer to Another Manager: $500 file transfer fee. 

Someone else already provided proof of concept, just copy them. 4.

.* The fines are up to $1,000 a day for non-compliance and proof of compliance will need to be submitted and reviewed by the DOH and a certificate will be issued to the title company. * We may see mass evacuations of buildings because this ordinance is too difficult to deal with and it does not apply to vacant properties.* No buyer is going to spend thousands of dollars in due diligence on a deal that might not move forward