However, a big investment like real estate takes careful consideration.

You think they care?

After careful consideration, I decided to take the plunge and purchase it.

There is some deferred maintenance tenant want me to take care of in the bathroom and kitchen in a 2 bedroom/1 bathroom house. 

She now lives in a memory care facility, and her properties are part of an irrevocable trust.

Most banks complained about "skin in the game" and required me to have at least 15% down.  

I would be very careful of buying properties via the land bank. 

I doubt your current loan would care too much because usually it’s only looked at when underwriting….

With older buildings, we need to be careful with the components of the building, such as roof, driveways, mechanicals.If you have to change the roof in the next 5 years, there goes any cash flow.

A deposit gives them an incentive to take care of the unit and potentially have the deposit returned to them.