This is a documented pattern of non-performance, not an isolated incident.

In practice, it’s usually not one thing in isolation, it’s the combination.Appraisals have tightened, especially on value-add where post-reno rent growth is assumed.

Is it isolated to one area or consistent throughout the house?

More often than people think, and in my experience it’s usually not “financing speed” in isolation, it’s financing readiness.Most deals that die from timing issues fail because one of these wasn’t locked in before the offer went hard:Borrower docs not clean or consistentEntity structure changing mid-dealAppraisal expectations not aligned with the lender’s methodologyExit strategy not clearly underwritten (refi vs sale vs hold)When we’re moving fast, the capital stack is already decided before the contract is signed.

That hands‑on exposure is often more valuable than trying to learn everything in isolation.

Documentation is everythingStrong agreement on the importance of:Move-in photos (date/time stamped)Move-out photosMove-in inventory/checklist completed promptlyClear, itemized deductions tied to actual repair costSeveral noted that good documentation dramatically reduces disputes, even when charging.Repeated Best Practices That Clearly WorkSet expectations early (this came up a lot)Multiple people described this as a game-changer:Define wear vs damage in the leaseRequire move-in condition forms (often within 7–10 days)“Plan for the divorce before the wedding”This reframes the deposit as:Protection against damage — not a repainting fund.Don’t let tenants do repairsSeveral landlords:Tell tenants not to patch holes or fix drywallPrefer to handle it themselves to avoid bad repairsOnly charge when damage is truly extremeBudget for paint and light spackle every turnA very consistent message:You should expect paint and minor drywall work every turnoverDeposits are not meant to cover routine refresh costsOwners need to understand this upfront to avoid frustrationContext Factors People Consider (but don’t abuse)Mentioned multiple times:Length of tenancyNumber and age of occupantsOverall condition of the unitWhether damage is isolated or widespreadBut even with context, the dominant rule is still:Would this look fair to a neutral third party?

This isn’t isolated.

Another thing is QC will penetrate re-used addresses-- meaning if you're doing isolated withdrawals or single address one's--way less at risk.

@Dillon Clark I don’t think any one signal carries the most weight in isolation — it’s more about whether they align or start to diverge.Staff feedback is usually the first reality check, especially on interpretation and process, but I’m careful not to over-anchor on a single conversation.

A lot of people start exactly where you are, motivated but isolated.