The tax assessment last year was based on the home's prior condition but fast forward to this year and the taxes have doubled.

How fast were we supposed to act on this?

Is Fast closing or easy underwriting important?

I bought it from a client who wanted a fast sale How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

Also, add in depreciation benefits also, those add up fast. 

I can say I've moved to STL about 5 yrs ago and I was at the gym right by the McDonalds/ Lindell Blvd area you're talking about and I feel safe and have not run into any issues there.St Louis is street by street - it really depends.You'll be able to rent it fast there due to it's location, I'm certain.

I just do not see any rational/benign reason for them charging so much in deposit up front considering that the house has not sold for 6+ months and I will be able to close relatively fast. 

I've even heard of GCs using auction type settings for returned items at Home Depot and Lowes for steep discounts.I've learned a lot about the GC game as I was up close to over 40 projects last two years and some went well and some did not and when they did not it was all Contractor related.If a GC isn't sourcing cheap materials at the same time milking the hell out of his 150-200 per day workers, then you can find yourself eating into your margins real fast. 

I've got one program that my fast flippers like for its 'no seasoning' requirement, and then a few 90-day seasoning programs that work really well also.Occupancy: some programs can refinance vacant properties, while others will simply need it to be leased prior to closing.

So I feel the seller wants to sell it so fast.