Many investors prefer to keep their cash in their pocket, while others like the security of knowing their money is safe in their real estate.  4. 

Background Check: I currently hold a security clearance, and have ZERO criminal history (minus a handful of speeding tickets as a teen).

Hard money loans are a step below subprime offerings, and often the last possible way of securing financing.

Some property managers require a receipt from a cleaning company to release the security deposit.

The holder of said easement could in theory put a security gate up on "their" road and charge a fee for the residents to have access to their home. 

You get the security of a shorter lease, but if she doesn't like the property after a year she can move out.

It would take most of our readily available cash to secure the property, but we wouldn't be tapping our retirement accounts or anything.

Proper security instrument and note.  

If there is a 1st note already this is the 2nd, otherwise if property has no note, then HELOC is the 1st.LOC -> no closing costs and credit is secured by the value of the property based on what amount the lender will lend.

Sounds to me like you can probably keep the security deposit.