Our idea was that I/we use the liquidity as a down payment, while the loan would be in my name.His cash flow isn't strong or consistent since he owns a service business, but he has decent liquidity.

Like they say, just be persistent and consistent.

How that pertains to flipping I can honestly say I’m not sure, but something to possibly keep in the back of your mind.but for something a bit more practical, I know that there is tons of resources for both multifamily and flipping on BP in podcasts and books.

You want it to be high enough to where they are consistently asking you to deposit more funds, but low enough to where you're receiving enough rental income. 

I’m sure your lease specifically says security deposit can not be used for last months ent as almost all leases ha for at least 10 years when it became a common practice. 

Originally, this was simply just to get out of the rental scene and gain some consistency, while also allowing myself to grow and build a life of my own without making someone else rich. 

Owners paying for utilities is common in lower income areas but not a best practice.

Rules should be enforced consistently without me having to battle internally about it.

dont take on debt until you are gainfully employed or have a consistent source of income.. 

“The real challenge for first-time home buyers in our market is orienting them to this hyper-accelerated, competitive market,” says Cameron Platt, a partner and broker with Abio Properties in Oakland, Calif.For example, one odd practice you often find in urban real estate markets like Houston, is listing a property below market value.