You can increase rents on a whim but will your tenants stay and will you attract new tenants if you have high rents and outdated units?

It's quite possible that material is simply outdated. 

I know I brought this post back from the dead and the info I'm getting from it is likely outdated, but I saw you mentioned,"I use DM.

Otherwise, your involvement quickly seems outdated.

Can a landlord there even accept a move out date and take back the property, or are evictions always required for you to take legal ownership back of the place?

Call and tell them you need to confirm their move-out date because you need to schedule an inspection & make-ready for the unit.

If you have missed your window to end the contract, an expired lease should convert to a month to month agreement and you have the option to give proper notice, but likely a later move out date.

Ask other investors where they are buying their properties from or if they might have one in their inventory that they want to unload for a few grand more than they paid.I would tell they attorney what your looking for, something that is just outdated or up to a property that needs full rehab. 

If you're going to buy houses like that, you should learn the basics of outdated wiring.

I even left a message for him saying i'll reimburse him for some of his security deposit if we can agree upon a move out date......I'm really suprised by all this.