Over the years, I’ve witnessed both newbie and seasoned investors get misled by various players in the real estate game, from wholesalers to contractors, realtors, property managers.

Im looking to secure financing for my real estate business.

It's not an effective strategy but a lot of investors believe throwing in high end appliances in itself secures a buyer. 

.- Financing: Starting with cash but hoping to secure loans for future investments.

Do you currently have enough funds to pay first month’s rent and a security deposit?

I've wondered that myself and thought: If an investor was looking for birddogs why would the birddog have to pay the investor money before they began securing leads for the investor, that the investor would then in turn give the birddog an investor's cut on the profit end???

Sometimes it can be difficult to collect and some landlords will keep any unpaid utilities out of the security deposit, though CA is one of the trickier states to do this in.

Sure, but again securing $500,000 isn't difficult.That said, liability coverage is lawsuit protection coverage just like it is for you. 

I've also used some more obscure companies in the seller financing world like Pioneer Title in Idaho (they call in Long Term Escrow Servicing) and Security Escrow in NM (recently purchased by Sunwest Escrow).

Yes, you bought what seems like a good deal on paper, but in reality, you own an old apartment building in a neighborhood with poor security, possibly surrounded by long-vacant shops, streets piled with garbage, and a poorly managed community.