This could help secure a higher LTV while you build STR rental history.

Quote from @Phillip Austin: There are two alternatives to a security deposit, which I speak about in my book.

I also saw your post on one of the local Buffalo facebook forums, and will caution you that you are going to get a WIDE variety of feedback from a WIDE variety of investors -- especially on that group! 

Grow wide first, then deep (pay off)- your little expenses add up fast

You must keep the tenants security deposit at a bank that physically operates a branch office in the State of NC.  

The building next to yours looks much nicer and has THREE security vehicles parked in front.

It is long and wide and in a windsor knot.  

States which DO NOT require licensing for originating or negotiating a loan secured by commercial real estate nor a loan secured by non owner occupied residential real estateALASKA ARKANSAS COLORADO CONNECTICUT DCDELAWARE FLORIDA GEORGIAHAWAIIIOWAINDIANAKANSAS KENTUCKY INDIANAKANSAS LOUISIANAMASSMARYLAND MAINEMISSOURI MISSISSIPPI MONTANANORTH CAROLINA NEBRASKANEW HAMPSHIRE NEW MEXICO OHIOOKLAHOMA PENNSYLVANIA RHODE ISLAND SOUTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE TEXAS WASHINGTON WISCONSINWEST VIRGINIAStates which DO NOT require licensing for originating or negotiating a loan secured by commercial real estate but DO require licensing for a loan secured by non owner occupied residential real estateIDAHO MINNESOTA OREGON UTAH VIRGINIA States that DO require licensing for both residential and commercial real estate loan origination and brokeringARIZONACALIFORNIAILLINOIS MICHIGANNEW YORK NORTH DAKOTA NEW JERSEY NEVADASOUTH DAKOTA

For example I am near old town alexandria and the businesses are 200 year old row homes and there is no place to put ramps to get in establishments and door openings are not wide enough, but that is because they also could never comply. 

I recently had a long-term (5.5 years) tenant move out. She was a fantastic tenant—always paid on time, easy to work with, and took good care of the property overall. She did move in two cats during her tenancy (with ...