For various reasons, I'm eager for them to just exercise and buy the house.

This is usually only exercised in cases where they can not legally sell the property due to foreclosure process errors. 

Here in Colorado, I pay the following:$279 for a 432 unit community that has a pool, a clubhouse, an exercise room and pool tables, landscaping and a shared water bill$305 for a 183 unit community with no pool, but has landscaping and a playground$338 for a 120 unit community with a pool, a clubhouse and landscaping.Your mileage may vary, but your HOA dues seem reasonable(ish) to me.

It's a one time payment that guarantees that only you can buy it, and it locks the price in, and...there are no monthly payments (or income) until you exercise your Option to Buy.

We still do spontaneous giving as well, but just like planning a weekly exercise routine keeps our muscles strong and growing, I think having a plan for giving keeps our generosity attitude and practices strong and growing.What has your experience been with giving and generosity?

While this may an interesting mental exercise to go through, my opinion is this would be a foolish thing to actually do. 

Even if my offer isn't accepted or things don't work out for other reasons it's been a good exercise, as a newbie, trying to assess the costs and potential returns of the two different options.

A property does not usually hit the email blast phase until it's been picked over by others in your areas, so most of the time it will not be a deal....But if you get in the habit of looking at all of them and analyzing a few per day, it's a great exercise to sharpen your skill AND get to know the area.

Perhaps you should start a new thread“Help-Exercising tax sale redemption rights in Texas”.

Might be an interesting exercise for someone here to call around and find out who is cheapest.