I need to figure out how many years I can legally charge my previous tenant for the carpet replacement and deduct from security deposit.

In this case, the tenants have signed a lease, and to secure the property for an Aug 15 move in, some monetary consideration would be needed. 

My properties require security and first months rent at move-in.

Hello - my wife and I are arriving in Jax this evening and we're planning on attending the jaxreia meeting to meet other like-minded people.  I've interfaced with some Jax members on the forum but there's nothing like...

No loans or refinance (Private money) so all rents are our own.

We purchased a 2nd lien, and by the time it was transfered, we passed the date to file as a secured creditor due to the prior servicers attitude of most will not make it through CH 13, and they are over 2 years into the Ch 13 plan.So we are unsecured and have to wait for it to be dismissed, and we can't foreclose since they are in Ch 13.

The builder helps to secure the land and even take on the construction loan if I make a decent downpayment.

Where should I keep their security deposit?

The basement has two private egress as well.  

The acquisition usually requires cash, Hard Money or Private Money for the purchase and Rehab.