Buying a modular or mobile home first and then next move into a single family.Buying a home out of state only having to put 10% down can be used as a short term rental immediately then on the second year you refinance and transition into a investment you only need 85% LTV.The tough part is when a buyer purchases a single family home and then wants to buy a 2-4 unit and say they want to live in a unit.

What other parties did you involve - lawyer, title company, etc.?

You could write a simple statement and have all parties sign and date:"Landlord and Tenant agree to extend this lease with a new termination date of June 30, 2025."

If the redeeming party failed to pay the money into court when they filed the lawsuit, then the one year did not stop ticking down and now they can't redeem.

Thats the part I was thinking of.

They must be held in escrow by a third party called QI - Qualified Intermediary - and it must be engaged before you sell. 

I would not cancel the deal- I would allow the seller to do his thing, then schedule a final walkthrough  and bring a 3rd party with me (contractor, handyman or inspector). 

@Thomas Richardson As @Mike Grudzien mentioned, reading my book doesn't exactly tell you how to "pitch" to private lenders but it does help you understand how to present deals to novice or new PMLs within your network by being able to show them how you'd protect and safeguard their capital with things like equity protection, title insurance policy, loss payee on your property insurance policy, going through a third party title and escrow or attorney to close the loan, etc.

One part I am struggling with it to figure out how much I would be paying for utilities.

Also one allowing you to review the documents (rent roll, P and L, Tax returns, insurance claims history, 3rd party agreements, leases) which allows you to terminate the contract if you are not satisfied.