Your assertion that you can just stroll on over and find a cash buyer (or someone using different financing) might be true, but at what cost?  

Here is more that anyone reading this can question: your assertion that you don't move forward in the inspection period if it does not meet your standards".

It includes a full description of the property and asserts that the seller owns and can transfer full and clear title of the property.

In typical contracts, the seller has three days to cxl the deal for any reason, and also asserts that they are not under any duress when agreeing to the terms spelled out in the deal...if it is not written into the contract, it is probably not enforceable...You said you're not buying from him, but if you did, I'd speculatively say he has no call once he hands you the keys.

Knowledgeable and assertive.

They are advising for different goals; tax savings vs assert protection.

If I can verify their prior landlord and the prior landlord asserts they are getting their security back...why not?

You both have rights, and you have the right to show etc per your lease; but unfortunately at this time you can't assert those rights fully and the sheriff won't help.

Let the conditions find its new status quo, and that will be in short time.With that being said, nothing stops anyone from being assertive and making offers and using the volatile economy to your advantage.

I would have calculated a conservative one number so using your worse case it costs you $2.5K to live there.For your assertion that cap ex/maintenance and vacancy should not be much, lets start with the vacancy.