You are partially right but the only way I would do it is through a turnkey company that has years of experience and has a good history so that I could not have many travel expenses. 

If you have email correspondence that CLEARLY documents that you informed her, and she knew, that the payment was non-refundable if she did not move in, then you could probably prevail in court.Even if you are sued, you would have court costs and attorney costs (and travel costs), which you might be able to pin on her if you prevail, but would likely never be able to collect, even with a judgment.So it's decision time: If you can find that correspondence, then I would keep the deposit and ignore the demand letter.

Finally, I am going to create wealth so that I can live the lifestyle I choose, not work because I have to buy work when I want to, experience everything in life that I ever wanted, including traveling, owning exotic sports cars, surfing the best places in the world, and doing whatever I want, whenever I want.

We did this with my sister and she is the only one on the mortgage but we are both on the deed.

Safe travels!

Wish he didn't due to the way noise travels laterally and vertically in the home.

I talked to my sister about the idea of buying a duplex since we would have our own separate living spaces.

Mine is personally to travel the whole world.

We enjoy providing hospitality and sharing our place/town with travelers, so that's our motivator, not just the income we can generate.

I am willing to work for free and travel after 5:00.