It sounds to me like he's trying to squeeze some work out of you.What is common for your market?

I mean there is always a chance you can jump off of a 100 foot cliff and survive but that is not the common or best way to get to where you want to go and 9 times out of 10 you will never make it, only jam yourself up.

I hear that 25% is pretty common.

If you are actually buying the property, a 5 or 10% deposit is fairly common practice. 

Any common work arounds to get all offers submitted to seller?

I voted no because our purpose is the upkeep and maintenance of our common properties.

If the gables are tilted the same direction as the common field trusses then the whole roof shifted.....

@Tyler Jahnke Good point regarding tenant paying utilities, definitely adds up.

Seller property had patio and Jacuzzi permit but during the sale process utility lines  was found and cause title issues.

This is obviously a common thing, I don't don't remember the answer.