If you pay cash, $700 would be about the best you could do, IMHO.Really, you want to do something that will let you make yourself more valuable and better able to earn once the six months are up.One route is to learn something.

(You can also learn the painful lessons you must learn on a smaller scale before you start with bigger numbers.)Of course, that only works if you have the time, skill, and inclination, but it is the route I am taking.You might be surprised at the deals that are available on the low end right now.I am not opposed to debt used wisely and competently, but I support your idea to go without it.

Hopefully you won't have to go the hard money route (it's expensive)...put together a brief business plan, and then start visiting your local banks...

Qualified legal representation is certainly the route to go.

You have to decide for yourselves which route works best for you!

If I have a judgement, I'm sure it is a lot easier to get the process rolling, but curious what route others have taken.It is my understanding that collections agencies take a percentage, anywhere from 20-50%, whereas the attorney may charge an amount in addition to the amount owed; so, if $1000 was owed, the attorney may charge the evicted tenant $1300 and keep the $300.

However, I am not sure if this is the route you should take.

We paid the water bill and then billed the tenant for that water bill and the tenant paid us)  However, let's say you don't want to go that route. 

If you go the do it yourself route and do not get results right away, use a professional and solve the problem correctly.

IF you have no plans to use the funds for awhile or paying family members and such that route may work.If you are in the highest brackets, it can be advantageous as you will be paying 39.6% on income, but if you issue dividends from the C-corp (that paid 15%) You will end up paying 20% individually.