A lot of times here in FL the title company will retain the deposit. 

I do not believe the communal fire pit will add value greater than the cost but it may help you retain good tenants.

I would like to retain long term or would be willing to sell if money was too expensive making the rental unprofitable.Any advice would be greatly appreciated .

Common fees will include a set-up fee, leasing fee for each turnover or a lease renewal fee, marking up maintenance, retaining late fees, and more.

I guess it really depends on the market.. and if a lawyer is doing a custom seller contract and note they should take a retainer.. in other markets like west coast were attorneys are rarely used  title companies have standard docs they can provide they may want a lawyer to prep the note but the title company will do the rest. 

We have many of these and its common for the members within the Entity needing to personally qualify and backup the financing even though the LLC will retain ownership.

However, I had no choice, so I paid the retainer and got on with it.It was another first of the month.

That security interest gives you the ability to foreclose.When you sell with a land contract, you retain ownership.

Great service is a great way to retain.

It sounds like you're using the term portfolio to mean a loan a bank retains, not as in financing multiple properties under one loan...is that correct?