As a professional property manager, I'm coming across an interesting trend related to institutions providing financial assistance for tenants who have trouble paying their security deposit and I would love to hear feedback from the BP community.Large PM companies have begun partnering with financial institutions, such as Rhino Insurance, to help tenants who struggle with paying their security deposit.

Looks like there is one program that has not closed yet in Ohio, maybe not the right county, but I would call anyway, they typically know who else could help.https://nlihc.org/rental-assistance?

Here is a solid summary from an internet search that will give you all you need to move forward:"A notice to terminate a property management agreement is a written communication to the property management company that informs them of the intention to end the contract.

However, he asked me to sign a one-year Exclusive Right to Represent agreement, as presented to him by his brokerage.His interpretation is that it applies only when he materially assists me, but I think the boilerplate brokerage language he was given reads much more broadly:"If during the term of this Agreement Buyer enters into a contract for the purchase of Property through the services or efforts of the Broker or Buyer’s Brokerage Firm, or by or through any other persons during the term of this Agreement" (emphasis mine).My concern is that, under my interpretation, if a fellow real estate investor wants to unload a property or if I get pointed to an opportunity by a former agent, colleague, or friend, this agreement could create an obstacle to moving forward with the deal.In the end, I didn’t sign.

There's also plenty of existing assistance out there, from 3.5% FHA homebuyer programs to Section 8 to SSI/VA disability, etc. 

@Chris Seveney @Jay Hinrichs can either of you two assist me in removing the above post with my phone number listed?   

Let me know if I can be of assistance. 

For example we pay our own income taxes, broker splits and all of our other expenses directly out of what we make including required E&O insurance, MLS dues, licensing fees, Board of Realtor dues, continuing education costs, marketing, advertising, office fees/rent, transaction coordinator/ assistant fees, health insurance, car insurance and maintenance, gas, tires, software, retirement fund, etc.We are not W2 employees with payroll taxes already taken out of our paychecks, company-paid health insurance and matching retirement account plus a guarantee of at least 40 hours paid work per week, sick pay, paid vacation… none of that.So if you’re thinking you’ll be able to pay an hourly wage typical of a W2 hourly employee like $50-85/hr… that’s definitely not going to work.

I'd be happy to assist with the financing portion (if you are considering here in HI).

Your fixed costs could be something like the following: $5k property tax, $2k insurance, $3k utility (including internet and TV), $2k landscaping (mowing, weeding), $2k or $3k maintenance (if you have a pool or hot tub).