.: @John C.You really need to work with a lawyer on this.

The more you know upfront, the less your spreadsheet surprises you down the road.One last note: I’m not a lawyer or CPA, so keep this strictly as friendly advice.

So unless im prepared to lawyer up 3k just to try and get some of it back the answer "just walk away from your deposits, im trustworthy" doesnt work for me.I have prepaid for work from big names, Lowes installs etc.

It was put in place because the feds have increased immigration for the last ~10 years (over 5M people or 8% of our population) to the point that we now have a housing shortage. 

Do I need to talk to a real estate lawyer for my own lease, or do I use a site like RocketLawyer?

I ain’t no lawyer (except on the Internet), so will possibly have to resort to checking with the lender (BoA) to confirm as I didn’t see anything in the contract that suggested that it closes if I’m no longer resident.James

You even have the ability to send your tenant's leases via e-signature and their monthly rent receipts electronically.In addition, you can house all of your management contact information within the program -- such as lawyers, contractors and handyman.

Try mediation first, lawsuits can get expensive and only the lawyers win.2.

Retain a lawyer and sue for damages? 

Quote from @Bryce Cover: if you aren't getting licensed yourself, are most of you leveraging realtors for your transactions, lawyers, or representing yourselves in these transactions?