If they try to pull that ESA crap, let them know that all animals have to follow the rules legally and that just because it is an ESA they are not magically exempt. 

I really see the farm going the more agritourism route than just growing veggies.So, I think the next step is to have the land surveyed so I can create a legal description and sign a legitimate sales agreement .

Also a fee for garbage, accounting/legal fees, repairs and maintenance.

This often only works with large properties where you are raising north of $1mm in equity, otherwise the legal fees eat up too much of the overall deal to make it worthwhile for anyone.  

The title company might also know about any legal avenues to proceed with releasing funds.

hi, make sure the seller signs the agreement. make sure it’s legal whatever you are doing. do whatever the escrow company says. make sure you get paid! 

*I am not a CPA, tax professional or a lawyer*I cannot give legal advice, so all of my advice is illegal advice.As far as I know, section 469 of the tax code is what allows for the "STR loophole". 

What legal options do you have, if something goes wrong?

There are other ways to legally wholesale without a license as well.

Since I'm not an attorney and can't give legal advice, I did a little more digging and found the passage below.