I believe your first move should be showing the notice with your tax preparer from 2020. 

But your goals, timelines, etc are not outlined at all.Common issues I see on these forums: everyone thinks they are getting a little cash flow, but over the long term, they are a) not getting as much as they underwrite and/or b) typically hurting long term value by creating cash flow through deferred maintenance.  

If you don't already live here, don't move here

Now he left PM and has moved into the software space. 

This approach allowed us to move quickly and efficiently, ensuring the project stayed on track.

The deposit is for after they move out.

We found a tenant, signed a lease and collected the security deposit with a July 15 move in date. 

Moreover, neither party seems very interested in my goal to build my RE portfolio. 

My personal advice is cut your losses and move on. 

Buy a rental, find a S8 tenant, sign a lease, submit paper work to the housing authority, wait for inspection, fail inspection, fix issues and schedule next inspection, pass inspection, move tenant in, done.There, I just taught you how to do it :-)