If you can get your direct deposit moved against your heloc right away, and then you do not have to pay bills instantly, you are leaving your idol funds offsetting a 7.5-8.5% interest rate.

One of them being you can't charge more than one month security deposit.

I was heading down a similar path and fortunately I cancelled my contract and forfeited my deposit. 

People carry too much debt and even if the debt was forgiven or paid off, incomes don't match affordability. 

I'm not sure what leverage you would have outside of taking legal action, these are generally things that should all have been on the closing statment along with deposits etc. 

Or they run a scam where they pretend to be the landlord and steal prospective tenants security deposits.

The "deposit" works as a way to make the payments on whatever you've drawn and self consumes itself.  5.75-6.25% fixed interest, amortized over 25 years for a 5 year term. 

The vast majority of lawsuits against Landlords are for wrongful eviction, security deposit disputes, and Fair Housing Violations.

We have always asked for a bank statement, so we can cross-reference payroll deposits.

Being specific about geography, price points, willingness to take as is properties, speed of decision making and closing, whether you are a cash buyer or not, property specs....that will go a long way in your brand as a good match for an agent.