This is also a personal decision, covering numerous different question or morality, ethics, responsibility, risk, etc that should not be considered here.  

Moral of the story, just because you make a balloon doesn't mean he can get a loan and pay you off.One of the other hot buttons and perhaps a little story segment is whether the current taxes and insurance are in place and paid.

The more trusting and less sophisticated, the easier it may be - but that also means you have a huge moral responsibility toward these people.As you do more research, and more importantly look at deals and have these conversations with your network, these things will get easier.Don't take my word for it.

It also makes you look professional and moral and ethical when you suggest that you would like to lease option but you want the seller to have representation that is in their best interest..It takes you completely off the hook for anyone coming back after the fact and accusing your of taking advantage

Many won't.The extra costs will reduce the purchase price which complicates it more for everybody.I am not debating the morality or ethics of it just saying real world what I am still seeing going on.Banks are the worst.I have a friend who does property preservation with his own company.Banks want him to go and cover things up in Atlanta for mold,lead and everything else.He tells them they need protective gear to enter and the cost and they say just mow the yard and winterize and trash it out and that's it.Many times the banks have him go around to give bids but the bank never does work they just have to show they got bids from people.So it's ALWAYS about the money.

I tend to agree with him.I am not sure what part of that $300 is due to my irrigation since I don't know his "normal" consumption rate.I have dialed back the timer to water now only 10 minutes on MWF.There is also a possibility of a leak, but I doubt it.Any recommendation on what's the best way to handle this?

This relates to ethical, moral as well as legal decisions.

And the roofer and electrician that were used both filed mechanics liens, so he didn't even pay people.So, the moral of the story is to get really good estimates and don't miss anything.

You're lying if you say you have a buyer, or that you will buy a property and you don't have the ability to do so yourself.For those too lazy or too stupid to pass a real estate exam and get a license, get off the block, you need to find a morale ground to base your business on.

I'm never going to hire this company again (not because of one bad crew but I now notice more red flags now from this small business.But I'm a terrible businessperson because of my morality, integrity, and kindness  As I get older, these values get stronger.