I just assume that it's not possible to take on a flip, and so I am defeated before I even start. 

It lets them defeat an eviction by making a late payment, which will likely be accepted (especially if they make it a day or two before your hearing date, and you cant return it in time). 

What has been your recipe for defeating the inner Parasite that says you aren't good enough, experienced enough, smart enough?  

Can they be defeated?

Doesn't that defeat the purpose?

But after hearing my boy friend literally list every possible thing wrong with this neighborhood and location I am feeling a bit defeated. 

So it might defeat the purpose of bringing the home back to full market value.

If I don't want cash out I can do it sooner, but defeats the whole purpose. 

They leave it in the same account and then draw funds out of it when they need to for expenses which seems to defeat the point of a security deposit, unless of course the expenses are related to move out.

No defeatism and that doesn't mean you should just run out and buy a property that doesn't fit your long term goals, and knowing what is happening on the ground can help you prepare.