I'm just trying to think through the best way to collect this "nonrefundable fee" in the safest way possible.

Title - ALTA 8.1 Endorsement $25 --> What is this fee for?

My friend just contact the sponsoring broker who proceeded to say she was requiring a $1000 sign on fee to cover many things, I'm aware of MLS fees but is this normals practice?

Mike, is there a way to structure a deal, so the $1500 attorney fees, $400 title report, $800 escrow, 3 months mortgage payments, utilities, and any other cost not mentioned other than the equity cost you mentioned in your previous post can be paid out of the seller's equity at closing?

@Anthony Dray Not having a broker or real estate license will not hinder you at all, and there are no legal restrictions to you contracting a property and assigning your interest in the property for an assignment fee.

Paying down the principal just to refinance and pay fees doesn't make sense. 

Is there such a thing as a rental property turn over company that can be leveraged (for a one-time fee), or do most people have local resources (agents, or similar) that help with this process?  

That's not including the upfront cost for example Appraisal fee, Legal fees.

Now we pay a bunch of fees to Nevada for renewal of the registered agent and  to keep it operational (over $500/year) but it doesnt have any impact on our ability to do business in Ohio. 

As the tax advisor, we tend to advise our a customer that charge separately for cleaning fee and other services.