Most legit contractors will ask for a deposit if you hire them, but most investors say you shouldn't pay a deposit, which I think is terrible advice.

I'm curious about this also, I've been testing Stessa but it's not intuitive and I keep finding weird glitches that make it almost more work than just entering transactions manually.At some point I found it had automatically added a full security deposit return after a move-out, despite me not having manually entered it nor there being a bank transaction - so I contacted Customer Service and then forgot about it because I was testing other software.

- Appraisal gaps- Increase contract deposit amountIn other markets; people shorten inspection/due diligence periods, pay seller's closing costs (i.e. transfer taxes), offer to pay a higher EMD.That said, the best 'tactic' is knowing your #s, knowing how to underwrite the deal, AND knowing how to establish a relationship with the other party (i.e. seller, seller's broker, wholesaler, etc.). 

Well i ended up purchasing an RV and renting that out for 600$ a month + a sec deposit.

Start researching what kind of handyman services you will usse for repairs and maintenance, collecting rents, deposits...... 

How much do you charge for a security deposit?

Only move forward if they communicate clearly and offer milestone-based payments instead of big deposits.

A lot of investors do that and use earnest money deposit financing to help bridge that early gap.

Os if they didn’t do that, the $400 comes out of tenants security deposit. 

So far so good.A few months later a nice 3/2 hit my radar and I financed the deal at $67k that rents for $825.I use a property manager here in Rome and they have been great to work with, although they do not have direct deposit, they do take care of everything and only charge 6% with no upfront fees.