I have totally given up on Quickbooks though it remains the best accounting software for the non CPA type 

But, I think in practice, "reverse trolling" remains ill-defined and a blurred line will rapidly begin developing. 

Do a 1031 exchange and buy two replacement properties - one for $250K cash and one for $250K using the remaining $50K of proceeds as your down payment.Once this is done your 1031 is complete. 

A market like Boston has a long track record of appreciation in excess of inflation/cpi.  

Assuming your property is in Utah (like your profile indicates), here's the state law from a basic internet search:In Utah, a tenant who abandons a rental property without notice is liable for the lesser of the following: The rent remaining on the leaseThe rent plus the difference between the fair rental value and the agreed-upon rentThe cost to restore the property to its original conditionThe landlord can also remove the tenant's belongings and sell them if the tenant doesn't claim them within a reasonable time.

I went to every one of the 65 hearings myself and got 61 properties lower and 4 remaining the same. 

Most contractors inflate materials so if you can, pay for them yourself. 

I wanted to offer him about $50K over what is remaining on the mortgage and go through the 60-90 day process to assume the existing mortgage.

The boot amount is taxed as capital gains and may also trigger depreciation recapture.For example, if you sell a property for $500,000 with a $300,000 basis, resulting in $200,000 of gain, but reinvest only $400,000, the remaining $100,000 is taxable.

You can reach out to the Title company and see if there are any funds remaining for dispersement, if so then ask if there is a way to make a claim to those funds.