Is it standard for HMLs to ask for a one-time deposit of $3000 that includes: 1) evaluators going out to property to determine whether it's a good deal, 2) enrollment fee and 3) "skin in the game"?

Lastly, buying with minimal skin in the game is great as it allows you to be liquid and scale. 

These are my contractors, I can’t just leave them out to dry with an angry buyer and say not my problem.

Theres so many ways to skin that cat.  

There's no skin in the game without a cap so I would highly recommend that.

The idea is to limit exposure from underwriting potentially volatile income associated with tenants that don't have as much skin in the game.

You keep that stuff dead dry indoors in above grade, climate controlled storage or you're screwed in western PA.We do almost always have a rehab going that houses most of the tools and equipment, especially the larger ones that aren't in job boxes or the bins I mentioned.

I had single family homes, some condos, and a few small commercial properties when the lending dried up and the consequences of that hit hard.

If somebody has no skin in the game, it's easy for them to continue their search then leave you hanging at the last minute.Our checks are handled within our PM software so unfortunately, I have no familiarity with Zillow's service.

I have a couple who started to build a home on a property, but midway they fell into financial issues i was told and the house went unfinished on the property sitting for multiple years in a "dried in" stage.