Until laws and people change (don't hold your breath for that) just be prepared. 

@Krista GoodrichSki = Limited access to slopes thanks to covidBeach is easy breathing and down here in the beautiful sunny Florida.

YouTube and Instagram and even a quick highlight from the BP podcasts can show the best parts and not the parts where contractors run off with money or crack heads break into your “investment “ property that is now a loss… I’m not at all discouraging pulling a trigger but I am saying, take your time , take a breath, you’ve got this, it will work out soon.

They will both be rented by end of this month and I can finally breath. 

You consult with a lawyer, figure out what your holding costs and legal costs will be to remove the squatter, add some breathing room, then add a margin that you think is reasonable (another 5-10% here is not unreasonable and you could go higher than this) and make an offer. 

Having this lump sum of money also gives me some breathing room in case I mess anything up."

Sounds like the house can't breath.

Don't hold your breath but I will at least look into the possibility. 

, at least I can breathe for another year.

If you want to succeed more than you want to breath (thanks Sean Terry) you will make it happen :)