I have occasionally rented to foreign students.Check their passport and visa stamp, make copies of them, require a bit larger deposit.

For both our in house reno crews and the ones we work with, most can start a job within 2-3 weeks after closing/deposit paid however depending on the job size could take a week to a few months.

The PM should have his deposit, so make sure your PM gives you that and doesn't return it to the tenant. 

Security deposits are not YOUR money to spend.

Hi Everyone,I put in earnest deposit on two new single family constructions - Lennar in Magnolia and The Highlands - Porter by David Weekly (both properties are 3 bedroom)....I am not from Houston area, Can anyone here please tell me if these were wise choices for rental properties?

If the down payment is coming from a business partner or family member and they a depositing cash into your account or attaching themselves to the loan that would be a different story.

Deposit every penny into one bank account going forward. this leaves you the option of doing a bank statement loan for income if you write off expenses against commission. 

Generally banks don’t advertise these rates and really only offer it after you have a very strong track record and large deposits with their bank. 

We think of it as something for the benefit of the landlord because the money is direct deposited to the landlord's account, but it is really for the tenant.

Pre-Sale contracts can allow a buyer to build a year's worth of equity with just $500 earnest deposit.