@Justin FondrenIf your credit score is in the 700–730 range, you're in a great position to secure favorable loan terms.

House hacking is an excellent strategy, especially with the potential to use an FHA loan to secure a property with a low down payment. 

Quote from @D'Ann Melnick: Saw this was an old question, but it came up in search - this is all part of the rent stabilization laws passed in 2024 - https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DHCA/Resources/Files/tena...The pet deposit cannot exceed $300 and the total amount of security deposits collected cannot exceed two month's rent.

You can't ask why it is needed, but you can ask for official documentation.JD is right, no one who owns a pet is not going to have it stay with them. 

Provide clear instructions on where and how to pay to avoid confusion.Recover Security Deposits: The current property manager is legally obligated to transfer tenant security deposits to you or the new management company.

Security systems are easily outsmarted, that’s the point of the initial visit, to case the joint. 

Quote from @Brian Rocha: I'm looking to secure a HML for a fix n flip in Florida and for now and am only looking to secure for the purchase price only and handle the rehab costs myself.

You can just as well get married but say you'll be back someday keeping your right to come and go, no one should care, unless you've done a lease change about your space and that you are officially exiting.If None of these supposedly agreed upon things are in a lease, then you may have a problem, and lack the grounds to enforce lease violations.

I'm now looking into having a title company do a comprehensive title search before officially putting in an offer. 

We were not able to recover any yard damages due to other damages they had left that needed repair, which empted out their security deposit.