Two years ago, I did a road trip downstate for another investor to "secure" a list of tax sales properties he'd bought from someone else.

If you are buying a property subject to being vacant, inspect the property prior to purchase, like, on your way to close and have your locksmith or handyman at the house and when you buy it, change locks and secure it. 

Secured a tenant in one week.  

The security deposit came from the remaining person so that should be fine.Thoughts?

At the same time, I'm about to apply for a HELOC to leverage the 150K equity on my home to secure some funding for my *first investment property*. 

Security deposit2.

It can be a challenge to screen applicants when they don't have a social security number.

@Ramki D.Let the tenants install TVs and when they leave a mess of your walls it comes out of their security

Purchase price: $174,000 Cash invested: $17,000 Sale price: $254,000 Purchased property in partnership,Paint, Secure and Partial Rehab then cashed equity.

If they are broken when it comes time to turnover the security deposit should cover it.