Parents had all of the money available as they had a good enough income to pay deposit, 1st month, and move in ASAP. 

You have decent cash flow that you'll continue to accumulate, which you could put toward a deposit later for another property. 

You can get some estimates from contractors for what they charge for big ticket items like to renovate a bathroom, renovate a kitchen, replace the furnace, replace the roof, etc.All wholesale deals should have free and clear title and you should be able to see the sales agreement before submitting the earnest money deposit.

I would be surprised if there weren't notices given to both the defaulting End Buyer (You're in default, you must close by X date or we're forfeiting your deposit) as well as the escrow agent (Buyer defaulted, see contract Earnest Money paragraph regarding release) prior to that actually occurring.

It gives instant credibility.

Offer to give them their full deposit in cash on move-out day, if they leave the place clean and empty, etc.  

We embrace S8 applicants, but screen them just like any other applicant.Many have an entitlement mentality and try to leverage their S8 voucher by pretending to be helpless:1) A percentage won't apply because they expect a landlord to waive application fees for them.2) Many cry broke and expect a landlord NOT to charge them a security deposit.3) Many of those same S8 tenants trying to avoid paying a security deposit, won't make an effort to call the list of nonprofits we send them that will pay their security deposit if they apply.4) A lot of them try to avoid paying for utilities.

3. what type of deposit / reserves can you provide in case the monthly rents you receive do not cover the rent you pay me?

we would have paid the 10% deposit and have had zero legal recourse to get the money back.

We have to order six months ahead from our Mennonite source and put a deposit down