Several times I could have secured a property with a 15k deposit on the day (which I had), against a winning bid of 150k on a property less than 15 years old with an MLS and local realtor assessed fmv of over 300k (even the county tax assessor agreed!)

Can I still charge a month's rent for the security deposit? 

Skip the option route, use a purchase agreement and set closing off ten months, you can have delayed settlements for less than a year and you'll be better secured with earnest money going to pay taxes, might consider buying the taxes if you can.

Once the security deposit has been used, you have no leverage.

The majority of people who go through weight-loss programs and actually lose weight seem to gain weight again after completing the program.

Debt projects are generally secured loans.  

If there are multiples I let the chosen applicants know the place is theirs, as long as they complete the lease signing process and pay the security deposit, and any other fees needed. 

BiggerPockets is a great resource and the podcasts are worth their weight in gold.

I'm out-of-state, so I put more weight on the BP member recommendations than I would a Google search or Yelp.  

I foresee finding cash buyers and a title company, that will be fine with closing with assignment, once I do secure a deal as an area of opportunity for me right now.