Is an interest in a DST (Delaware Statutory Trust) considered real estate ownership or a security in Florida? 

While it only returns 5.23% currently, it provides a great cushion allowing sufficient time to wait out a crash without having to resort to selling properties at inopportune times - at fire sale prices.5- I keep a large part of my portfolio in high yielding notes secured by real property - and while I want every loan to make payments as agreed, my experience indicates that a certain percentage will default with me owning the property during periods of economic contraction.

He is charging for a service that you would not have been able to secure on your own.I would stipulate this is on a per deal basis.Gino

If there are tons of homes with pools and wide open calendars yet the few places with PB courts are booked out, there's your answer. 

@Britney Lewin I think it's great you have the chance to go in many areas, but finding a property while searching a very wide area can be tough.

Also, if you are able to secure LOI's with prospective retail/warehouse tenants, this always helps with the financing piece.

Efficient negotiations secured the property for $236,000 on favorable terms.

Negotiations were handled efficiently, securing the property for $80,000 with favorable terms.

The point of a deposit is to secure performance under the contract.

However, I suspect that no matter how you cut it what you're offering will be considered a security, even if it's a debt security.