Otherwise your biggest expense in the closing costs and prepaid expenses categories are:Taxes - prepaid monthsHomeowners - Insurance prepaid monthsTitle insuranceTitle costs (closing fees, etc)Taxes are a bit non-negotiable, so don't waste your time there.  

Unless/until you know your purchase agreement like your own cellphone number, have the contract reviewed by your real estate attorney.When dealing with existing/inherited tenants, always get a signed/notarized estoppel letter regarding actual rents, security deposits, prepaid rents, lease copies or month-to-month agreements.  

This includes things like lawyer fee, home inspection, appraisal, first month's mortgage prepaid, home insurance for the first year, a few months of property taxes, title search and insurance, and loan origination fees.You could go with an FHA 3.5% loan, but be aware that the market is very competitive right now -- with a LOT of buyers looking to lock in historically low 30yr rates -- and conventional offers appear more "attractive" to most sellers than FHA (for various reasons, rightly or wrongly).I suggest you speak to one or more local lenders about your options and what you could qualify for. 

They came back and offered 2 extra months of pre-paid rent and had an excellent rental reference from the previous landlord. 

Not pre-paid directly to a lender regardless of whether they're a private lender or not.

Sale summary:$102,000 Bought in 2017 $38,000 Out of pocket includes prepaids$178,000 Sold in August 2020$3,600 seller concession$1,500 in seller repairs $72,000 mortgage payoff$91,250 Due to sellerThe property appreciated $76,000 in 3 years, not a bad take down (75%).

According to this FAQ page on Venmo's website, they allow payment from credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards: Venmo: Bank Accounts & Cards - FAQ.Now, to answer your original question, rent should be RECEIVED by the due date (not just postmarked or photographed by the due date). 

Properties that were merely expired leases, or property encumbered with 29 years of pre paid rent, so that the first time you could collect rent was 30 years from now in 2050. 

Our rental does have a lease and they have pre paid 9 mths.

My cash out refi's this year are: 80% LTV, 25 year amorts, 3.6% interest, 7 year balloons, no escrow for property tax or insurance (much lower closing costs with no prepaids).