The fee is equal to the security deposit.  

Hopefully your pet deposit is considered that.

But as a side note, the lease most always allows me leverage when I need to keep a security deposit.

Seller wants me to walk away once I get my deposit fee.  

Hey BP, when I get a property under contract do I open up and put the deposit down and order title insurance even if I'm going to assign the contract.

@Matthew ButtnerI would have a problem with that but I would require a good security deposit and market rent. 

Still not great, but there is also an interest in someone buying as a rent to own from a local community group.Deal would be something like 5% deposit for the option to purchase at 55k in 5 years, plus a rent of 900 with a $150 per month being a refundable credit after 1st years rent.problem is ive got too many other deals in the process, so is there any way to wholesale this deal?

If they pay their rent at a later time with a personal check, we make a copy of the check before depositing it.  

CA allows for a security deposit of 2x rent for unfurnished and 3x rent for furnished.

Just for background - we do 2.5-3 x monthly rent, credit check (650+); i will go down to 600, but only with a double deposit, landlord checks (mainly previous to the current one to avoid the issues @Mike Russo mentioned).