She volunteered to leave if she got her deposit back & no eviction on her record.  

Our tenants would gladly accept free accommodations as well, but are not likely to do that either.We have placed "solar panels" on properties: solar thermal (which paid for itself in roughly 5-years)  - there is a small photovoltaic panel on that installation to run the circulatory pump and control system.I've been involved with two small commercial photovoltaic installations - the control systems side - so am not oblivious to capabilities and costs.We have signed-up/volunteered for an experimental installation of a new photovoltaic system which claims increased surface area, lower operating temperatures, no need for tracking, and more output per sq ft.  

You can get all the education necessary for free if you want to take time and expose yourself to risk, or for a hundred dollars you can get the education, mentoring from a volunteer professional investor - everything you need.

Now you can call it other things but a deposit of 2x is not allowed, in MI, anyway.In AZ, you can't *require* large deposits, but the tenant can volunteer them - ?

When ethical, hard working investors volunteer their time to help up-and-coming investors get started, it helps the entire industry, as those values are instilled in the new investors from the beginning.

I once rented to family in a hurry to move, who also volunteered to do any necessary cleaning.

Maybe volunteering, some sort of outreach,  anything where they get to know you as a person in the community before they even think about trusting you. 

@Maurice George, you wrote "HECM law allows buyer to pay liens attached on the property as long as the payment properly disclosed to the bank (eg, on HUD-1)", but I ask: Why would a Buyer volunteer to pay any liens (on top of the purchase price agreed)?  

Roll a dice.Unlicensed tax preparers can volunteer to take some annual education, pass a test and adhere to that professional code of conduct I mentioned (Circular 230).

Who can fill in for me while I am gone:) I'd volunteer, but I'm probably too obnoxious to pull it off without getting the site shut down!