We also don't use it prematurely and we make sure the tenant understands that it is not available to them to use for last month's rent, utilities or anything else they seem to think of when they say...

It is a little premature to state that any developer/builder has "successfully used" iFunding until those Investors funding their deals have been repaid, with interest & their  projected share of the profits.  

I guess I am freaking out prematurely here.

I work for a bank and during IRA training today it was briefly brought to our attention that the IRS waives its 10% premature penalty on a Traditional IRA distribution if that distribution is used for a first home purchase for the IRA holder.

Second example would be if you have a lease term in effect and the tenant wants to terminate the lease prematurely; it is common to have a two month rent fee for early termination so that could be collected and the tenant would no longer be in the unit.

They do not bind either party to a rental agreement, but the deposit is forfeited if you complete the rental application process, approve the tenant, and then the tenant decides he doesn't want to rent the unit.If you accept first month's rent and a security deposit in exchange for their right to live in the unit, you would be entering into a binding rental agreement prematurely.

short cycling will prematurely fail the HVAC, so you have to address it. 

It's premature to ask how a Trump presidency will affect investor confidence.

Losing the use of a private utility is also a giant pain in the butt and will put grey hairs on your head prematurely.  

My business is so premature I don't have the 2 previous W2's to prove my income.