Think of all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.5.

An Hard Money organization in Charleston has been offering funding for 1st mortgage security to Flippers with good plans for several years now.   

I did this with a unit I bought in March of this year... a cash offer was really the only way I was going to secure the property I wanted.

Are private lenders for real estate able to charge private mortgage insurance the way that banks do as an added security?

While it can feel a bit scary, its an option to secure a property that makes sense from a cash flow perspective.

I'm looking to buy my first investment property in Buffalo and I've been surprised at how many properties have tenants paying way below market rents with no security deposits.

You may need to show proof of deposit for first months rent or security deposit as well.

@Jonathan Bell If your long-term goal is to keep on buying apartment/rentals for a long time, then it will be good to create an LLC because it gives you credibility and reassures them that yours is a real business and thus making it more "official".

Assume "Yes", versus finding out when your local building official issues you fines.

Going into her bank and having the bank give her a "Secured credit card" where she puts money into an account and they give her a card like a debit but it reports to all (3) bureaus (Not a debit).