If I collect a deposit, it is only used as security that I get paid, there are as many shady investors as contractors in LA.

:PJust to add even MOAR confusion to your life, there is something called correspondent lending which is a hybrid of the two.

We decided to take a course and learn real estate investing so we can secure our financial futures.

However, I've never made a lot of money and when I review my Social Security statements -- YIKES!  

Nothing personal but if you do let him stay, increase the rent and add the difference on the security deposit.

I have security monitoring through a company  that uses the Qolsys IQ Panel in conjunction with Alarm.com, and this works as a Z-wave hub for multiple products including security, wifi thermostats, electronic locks, lights, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide, freeze detectors, and more in the future I'm sure.

Explain to the tenant that once a buyer is secured you will be issueing a 30 day notice.

Hi Trevor, my suggestion is to use that liquid cash you have available as leverage towards securing private money loan to purchase your first buy and hold in preferred area.

You may be just fine, but for me, the additional costs are worth the security and peace of mind.

There are multiple levels of certification depending on how much remediation you choose to do, each certification level comes with corresponding requirements for routine re-certifications.