Having watched many prior co-workers get paid, cash their check at the casino, and promptly deposit it all into a slot machine I can tell you with pretty good certainty that casinos don't have a positive effect on disposable income and good use of the existing income in the area surrounding :)Are there solid local employers OTHER than the casino in a 15-minute drive? 

If I secure renters and show a lease agreement and deposit can I get into lower interest rate mortgage?

Earnest Money DepositAnd if you want to cover all your bases, you can also consider saving for an earnest money deposit (EMD).

What about the security deposit? 

If they pass the screening, also find out who is paying the deposit as that is the person you will be returning it to once they leave.

A good property manager can help with tenant screening, enforce lease terms, and handle evictions more efficiently if it comes to that.Require a Larger Security Deposit: Within the bounds of local regulations, a larger deposit can provide a cushion in case of damage or unpaid rent.Consider Rent Guarantee Insurance: Some companies offer insurance products that can cover lost rent in case of tenant default.

If they fail to handle it, I will do it and charge them for my time.Another change I made was to add a no-deposit option to all my residential rentals.

Sellers rarely mind the low deposit and extended closing period due to the nature of the property, or at least they can be made aware of the fact that their lot has issues that will take MY time and MY money to solve and then they come around.My terms on the flip are: Minimum 10K spread between purchase and flip value.  1-2K deposit upfront to hold the property for 7 days then the deposit becomes non-refundable after the 7th day and the buyer has the same amount of time that I originally negotiated with seller typically 8-12 months(its a purchase contract but because of contingencies its essentially an option).  

WE get our spec loans from local community banks that specialize in lending to business's in the community.. they are not retail banks they are not looking to amass huge small time checking deposits..

After I placed the 5 day notice on her front door, she text me the next and said she would pay the full amount so I told her to go to the bank and deposit it and she did so we are back in business.