I looked at a house and was ready to bid on it but when double checking the property appraiser's records against my inspection notes for my properties the facts didn't match up for that one.

Interior and exterior paint colors to match accessories?...

I would be very hesitant to buy that situation with anything other than a month to month, move in condition checklist, and a security deposit.

But by the letter of the law you are not allowed to take ANY money from a perspective tenant, even the exact cost of running reports.MA Law says the only things that can be collected are first months rent, last months rent, a security deposit and a lock/key fee.

Would I have enough money for an earnest deposit?

Turns out that the 'landlord' was a scam artist, who scoped out empty houses, changed the locks, took on the name of the owner, and rented the property.http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Impostor-rented-out-someone-else-s-home-4981397.phpWhat if you were the owner of that vacant house and found people living in it, who signed a lease in good faith and spent all their money on deposit and first month's rent?

Should I just fix it and take the repair cost out of her deposit when she leaves?

When you do rent these properties the underwriter will want evidence of the tenants deposit so keep a copy of the tenants deposit check and a paper trail into your bank account and a copy of the signed lease agreement.

Is it really worth ALL that just to keep a deposit??

Kramer Darwish et al was upheld on appeal:The court ruled in favor of respondent and issued a judgment ordering “Barbara Kramer Darwish and David Darwish” to “specifically perform pursuant to the parties’ written Real Estate Purchase Contract and Receipt of Deposit agreement, dated February 5, 1998, and . . . sell the Property . . . to [respondent] within ninety (90) days.”Real Estate Analytics LLC v.