In North Carolina, it's customary to have a "due diligence" fee when executing a purchase agreement.

Be sure to use the OK language for when rent is late, late fees and other rules that are often dictated by state law.  

Sure, we are out an option fee that way, but that's less than a major foundation issue, for example. 

Our option fee is $3900 to $10,000 depending on the price point of the property.

Obviously speak to an attorney, but document all fees for cleaning, and take from the security deposit.  

Check out the website real estate express, you can probably get your license for under $200 and then link up with a cloud broker and pay a $500 flat fee on every deal you close.

. $25k will almost be what you are paying in closing costs on a VA loan at $500k+ with originations fees included.

I don't think many if any actually have websites.also the properties are too cheap to afford normal closing fees you have to learn how to do your own closings.. not hard.. 

For leasing we'd give first month's rent with a MAX "once per year" per unit and a 50% refund if we had to evict for any reason, or there was any unreimburseable damage or other fees (i.e. if she doesn't do a good job placing a tenant, it costs her!)

Besides doing the typical title search, I suggest completing a back ground search on the company (including the state and local jurisdictions to ensure all licenses, taxes, and fees are up to date.