Feel free to PM me.

If he feels he still has rights to the rental and the deposit, then that also means he has responsibilities for the damage and is subject to charges.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

I see a disservice being provided in the given example by the real estate agent by not bringing creative strategies on both the sellers and buyers position on this particular deal.

You can do this with almost any business, as long as you are bringing in the clients, leads, deals and etc..

Feel free to DM if you'd like to discuss any ideas!

if a property I buy and bring up to rent ready standards then starts cash flowing..." - it's not going to. 

Would recommend you read a couple books about BRRRR, that will give you the basics and then feel free to reach out.It remains a great strategy, but you have to manage your expectaions.

Everyone will tell you it’s great to get started early, or you can just move after a year, but in the current environment in our region the rent your property will generate after you move out will likely be less than your mortgage, if you are tied to the area and feel confident you want to stay in whatever property you buy for 3-5 years go for it, if you want flexibility rent and throw that money into and index fund. 

When entering the apartment, it just feels like a house full of squatters.