Sometimes the quotes I received were much higher than what I found on my own   Why should they keep the security deposit?  

It's my understanding the Gator Method consists of providing short term loans to cover other investor's earnest money deposits.

Fast forward to the end of today and we still haven't received a signed document, so my agent had to send over a letter of termination to protect my deposit. 

Once you have cash in hand, you can unlock the unit for 24 hours and let him move his stuff out.I would also consider charging an additional deposit of $500 or something, just to prevent him from leaving all the trash or stealing your refrigerator.

Here security deposit and most of the first month's rent are supposed to be paid by NJ Victims of Crimes.Fast forward now:- she did not pay her rent of January.

Most PM software allows late fees to be charged.Ours allows us to absorb the cost of tenants paying electronically thru the software - it usually wants to charge tenants, but we want them to pay electronically.We manually charge tenants a Processing Fee for mailing in their rent, a slightly lower Processing Fee for depositing to our bank.Your success will depend on the Class of your tenants.

If you are unable or unwilling to do so we may elect to terminate the lease and request a return of our deposit--which we offered in a good faith agreement that we would be presented with a habitable dwelling--and our prorated rent.

Would it be a good idea to take a deposit to secure the deal until the rule clears?

How to Structure the Deal to Protect Your $20KIf you’re willing to cover the $20K arrears, here’s how to protect yourself:Option 1: Secure Your Funds with a Lien or Escrow AgreementUse an escrow account: Deposit the $20K into escrow with clear terms—if the assumption is denied, the funds return to you.Record a promissory note & lien: If the deal falls through, this would give you a legal claim against the property to recover your funds.Option 2: Sub-To + Wrap While You AssumeSubject-to deal: Take over the existing loan payments before assumption approval, securing control.Escrowed deed transfer: The seller signs the deed into escrow only to be recorded after assumption approval, ensuring they can’t back out.Lease option fallback: If the assumption is denied, consider a lease option agreement until another solution is found.Option 3: Negotiate a Seller Financing HybridAsk the seller to carry a small second note for the $60K equity gap at favorable terms.Use your $20K as a down payment, structured as a secured loan against the property.3.

Security deposits have to be held in an escrow account disclosed to the real estate commission which requires a yearly report and all leases need to disclose your license information.