There's a lot of value (even if a higher interest rate) to us finding a simple deal like this...We have great credit and solid income - I would think, for the right rate, there would be lenders out there jumping at the chance for these guaranteed returns - we'd even consider putting up the equity of the Texas home (and obviously the land itself) to secure some portion/all of the loan?

Chances are the first is what the sellers want since they are selling with them in there.

If by some chance you did include that the tenant is responsible to repair, then you should expect that if they break during their stay then the tenant can just buy new ones and take their appliances with when they leave leaving you with a broken appliance that still needs attention upon their departure. 

Albert, I see it as particularly important in the off chance the lender chooses to exercise the due on sale clause.

It gives everyone enough time to make decisions and reduces the chances of any misunderstandings. 

Let the tenants install it stipulating they need to put down new top soil first and if the lawn doesn't take, they need to pay for a replacement-chances are it will be fine. 

Any chance the state comes in with a bill to cancel this ordinance?

It encourages this behavior, increases the odds they will repeat the behavior, increases the odds that another LL will get to experience thus from this tenant, and in the long term increases the chance it will happen to you again. 

I would happily give away big chunks of equity and/or forego typical syndication fees for the chance to JV with an experienced person on something like what you have just done.  

And, like I said it's a really small investor pond out there, so fair chance it's viewed more as a hassle to do anything enforcement to try and resell it.