People just don't take care of pots and pans.

But, we did catch one old lady stealing a flower pot. 

Total still owed $13,600 (rent, late fees, legal fees) and $550 for the locksmith.Place reeks of pot, she had her adult son, who by the paystubs left behind only made $152 a month and spent his days laying on the couch (which reeked of pot) smoking and playing x-box (abandoned and power supply cut up). 

The activity and the buyers and builders talking will help stir the pot.  

She left a pot on the gas stove and fell asleep and it lit on fire.

So with this plan you get a year to feel things out at NET-0 or better. ideally you rent your place for say $2,100 and you rent a place for say $1,800 making for a gross net of $300 which should be enough to also cover any PM fee's as well making it truly a NET-0 to test the waters to see IF, keyword IF you can be a Landlord BEFORE getting yourself "pot-committed". 

Yeah, my net is definitely a lot wider, but you can target specific meet ups that meet your goals. 

When we started, the second guest we had deliberately scratched and ruined all the pots and pans in the cabin. 

If not done correctly a seller could take a deposit or earnest money and claim it was not given unless the contract or some safety net is in place, hence me asking for advice on what others are doing to keep their money secure. 

Out here when I live it's going to cost at least $275/SF to build a spec that will keep up with the competition and meet buyers expectations (high ceilings, semi-custom cabinet package, fireplace, floor to ceiling tile in all showers, swimming pool, temperature controlled garage, pot filler, thermador appliances, level 5 drywall, oversized custom pivot door for entry, epoxy in garage, custom closet in master, etc)Also that number assumes you are owner-builder or you GC the job yourself.