The answers will range due in large part to how the transfer (wholesale deal) takes place and the price points.For instance, if an REO, it is likely not "assignable" so if the buyer of the REO is using a second escrow for a double closing, then they will want a non-refundable deposit so you don't walk away and leave them holding the bag.If it is assignable, then it all depends on the contract wording that they are taking over, if an inspection period timeline is left over, they still have that.In other wholesale deals, they are mostly non-refundable deposits to keep you from backing out at the last minute with nothing to lose, that protects the wholesaler.As for inspections, typically, you as the buyer should do your inspections first, then decide if you want it and at that point, a refundable deposit is not needed, you have already made your choice to purchase the property.

These companies already have more capital than they know what to do with, in that instance 8% is better than Govt Bonds.

For instance, lease a large property near a campus for the son/daughter, then sublease the extra rooms.

For instance, with a C-Corp and S-Corp you need to hold annual board meetings.

I've heard a few instances of it happening, but I also hear that the bank needs to bid-in at the amount owed in order to collect PMI or turn it over to freddie/fannie/HUD.

Do not leave it up to the property owner.They might not confirm the fax went through to the bank,they might submit tot he wrong department,they might be using an old dirty fax machine where the transmission was garbled and the bank cannot read it etc.Make sure they sign the release EXACTLY as they signed the closing papers when they bought.I have had instances where unless the signature is exact as what they have on file for closing docs they will not release info.If someone married or they sold to someone else etc. you can explain that away it's just more steps.

For instance in Georgia the GREC (Georgia real estate commission) cares NOTHING about ethics.What they do care about is license laws.If you are a REALTOR for example you subscribe to the CODE OF ETHICS.In my state it is not required to be a REALTOR to have an agents license or a brokers license.Just because someone is not a REALTOR and has a license does not mean that person is not ethical.I see nothing wrong with a buyer or seller who has spent considerable time learning knowledge to gain a competitive advantage in a transaction.

If through a listing broker it will depend on what the listing broker entered on the MLS and MLS rules.In Georgia for instance on FMLS if as a broker you screw up and enter commission wrong,mistake things etc. you can be on the hook for the commission or lose access to the MLS.MLS's are sometimes controlled by REALTOR associations and other times are private entities that are non-profits or for-profit organizations.Also the brokers/agents involved it would matter if they were REALTORS or not.Generally your state's real estate commission does not handle commission disputes.They only care about license laws.The agent can argue procuring cause with the other agent but it should not stop your sale.Simply you would close and get your proceeds and the commission in question would be froze until a solution was given and signed in writing or a court order.There are so many variables to this and it is state specific.Procuring cause is a chain of events leading up to a sale of a property.If the chain is broken generally the broker/agents is not due a commission.The moral of the whole story is the buyers agent needs to learn how to protect themselves in the future.I am not going to court to get my agents commission when I only charge them a 300 flat fee as a broker.No legal advice

In rare instances where people put $0 into the property, and it appraises for much, much higher, it can be problematic.  

In a couple instances, I have taken a larger than normal down payment and a very short amortization schedule, 3 to 5 years.