If we can cure that, then there is hope.

I know it's impossible for them to sell while in default, but my goal is to tie up the property for ME, while I work with the bank to cure the default.

And I remember thinking that with now having breast cancer and being totally broke from having spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on trying to find a cure for my seriously ill son, that it would be very shallow of me to still hope for a cruise but that I still was going to believe for one.THAT VERY NIGHT, maybe 3 hours later, my husband came home from work and told me that we had won a week long cruise from NAPA [auto parts] It included transportation, taxes and government fees, tips, and even $500 on-line credit.  

It took a few months for the cash from my uncle to "cure" in my bank and I bought it. 

Get an engineer out there and find out the cost to cure and get it cured...not covered up.

I would send them notice of three violations. 1) lease says no pets...get rid of the cat before it destroys the property.2) stop smoking on the property or face eviction, offer to release any smokers from the lease.3) cure the insect infestation immediately.Inform them you will me making regular inspection visits and expect the issue to be resolved.Your other option, if you have no desire to inforce your lease is to tear it up and write a new one that you do intend to inforce.

What's the cure?

These are things like how late the pool stays open, whether diapered children are allowed in the pool, the amount of a fine for leaving pet waste on the ground, the due date of HOA dues, the number of days needed to cure a violations and other things like that.  

Have a written set of rental criteria, and follow the SAME process for all applicants.6) Know the legal process for serving Cure or Quit notices for lease violations. 

One that he's in escrow for in Georgia (Cash payment, once title defects are cured)2.