What I would do....use cardboard or construction paper to make a template that fits the contour of the tub perfectly.....then transfer that template to a plank....mark it out with a pencil etc...... make the big straight cuts as needed.

She had a family living there (presumably with kids but haven't gotten a straight answer on that yet).My agent brought up the point that theoretically, if any of the kids that lived there have problems with lead, they can come after the property owner, which would be me. 

The economy has been booming for nearly a decade straight.

I'm interested in this land but there's a mobile home on it and the sellers only own the land so have no title for it, it does have two liens on it one from a bank and one from the County, I want to know if my purchase will be a good idea and if the process of putting trailer in my name is straight forward.

It is the whole enchilada and I don't see how it could be recommended as a first step with a straight face and selfless intent.Bird-dogging is what is needed in the marketplace.

He made it explicitly clear that he wants to keep it straight forward and wants to get out clean otherwise he will just list it.

The owners are my husband's grandparents and they are willing to work with us to make a deal that makes sense for everyone.This is the first time that I would be purchasing a property from a family member so wondering if there is a more tax efficient way of doing this deal than a straight sale? 

Is that a good idea or should I jump straight into?

It’s always hard to see someone else go through a difficult situation, particularly if there’s not a straight forward way out.

Frankly you may be served by finding a local mortgage broker, or going straight to a large national lender rather than a local bank.