Tenant wasn't paying rent, brought a "service dog" into the home without consent and again, left the place completely trashed.

What @ finding bird dogs and wholesaler to work with?

If it is 15% down they could get a lot of money from you upfront and then get full recourse against you selling at an inflated price.One scenario non-recourse you learn on the property and then hand it back with minimal losses if it turns out to be a real dog.The other situation is they have full recourse against you on the loan, they sell you an inflated price, you put a bunch of money down 15%, and now they won't let you out of the dog of a property and every waking day you are dealing with problems.Owner financing can be great if set up properly.No legal advice given. 

Change your agitator dogs in a used washer, 5 minutes and 5 bucks.

I’ve dropped tools, my kids ride scooters across it, my dog skids to a stop chasing toys on it.

You got a nice dog and pony show with all their efforts they are going to do to market the property.

I haven't had a chance to visit the property or see it until today and it looks like some squatters(and their dog(s) have been camping through the winter ( God bless them), however, I need to get the wheels rolling on this home.

Also we were new at buying out of state and we bought a couple of dog properties not knowing any better at the time. 

So it really boils down to enforcement or lack thereof.One of my bird dogs though got turned in for having a sign in a yard for a home he did not own.. the neighbor knew he did not own it.. neighbor probably wanted to buy it.. he turned the guy in.. after examination it was determined this was his business model and scheme and big fine and big lawyer fees later cease and desist and now he runs everything to me as I can close and we simply JV and never market anything until I have closed and own it.. even though I am an inactive broker..

Very bad behavior on the part of your landlord.