Are private money loans from friends typically "secured" by something?

We're able to leverage our institutional finance + operating backgrounds to make a better product than the typical deal analyzers out there.

Nothing to get thrilled about, but it’s way better then typical savings rates.

Lenders typically allow cosmetic deficiencies. 

Typically I can get 3-5%.

These properties are typically found in C and D neighborhoods and older neighborhoods that are experiencing regentrification.2.

I don't typically recommend the $10,000-$50,000 mentorship programs, but the 3-day workshops and weekend bootcamps are a great way to educate yourself.

Trulia crime maps  ( used to be convenient but they changed their coloring)2. clrsearch.com - demographics - the have a crime index ( I like this better )3.

It's actually quite interesting that typically the folks with the most transactions under their belt are the folks that you as a consumer have the least contact with, and the least experienced folks are the ones you have the most contact with.

This is just a theoretical that popped into my head, but for those markets where rents are relatively low, would it be reasonable to take on a tenant with the typical one month's security deposit, but in addition you add $50 or $100/month to the rent to build up the deposit till it hits two month's worth?