For a single family I know I would want more just to feel secure.

You can then sue in small claims for damages in excess of security deposit.

Whether that is in securities, real estate or cash holdings, there isn't any way to trick a bank/lender into thinking you have more collateral.

As Joe said, pay the realtor their commission, but make their commission payment dependent on you finding/securing a tenant buyer for the property.

What do you think about using those to at least secure the property for your down payment, and then pay it off as fast as you can?

This prevents things like "the LL said my security deposit would be applied to my last months rent (no your SD is for damages and will be refunded AFTER the last months rent is paid and any repairs are deducted), "the W/D,fridge, stove... are mine not the previous LL's", "I signed for $500/mo rent but the LL said I only had to pay $400 as long as I mow the grass and do the snow removal" ect2) Now you need to know if the LL might have placed higher than market tenants using some sort of a teaser "no SD required" or " free first months rent (but higher than market rent for the remaining lease term)".

I should note that the weather was -5 degrees with a wind chill of -20 or -30 degrees....record lows and coldest temperatures in 20+ yearsI have 2 questions:1: I have language that would support holding the tenants accountable for 'accidently' leaving the door they granted access to the utility employee open by not making sure it was properly secured.

If they don't pay, I would take it out of their security deposit.I post signs in my houses inside one of the kitchen cabinet doors with some basic info, like how to contact me, etc.

I know it sounds a bit silly to perhaps "undo" some of what you have already done but square footage is the name of the game.Another approach would be to use the equity in your current home to secure a new build.

Is it the programming side of things (Java C# Python etc) or is the A+, Network + fixing hardware and software side of things?