It's really a nice niche little neighborhood in Tempe only a few miles from ASU.

He says it's there because his ex-wife was a manipulative con artist who forged signatures. 

And, once the temps outside aren't winter conditions anymore, heat shouldn't be an issue. 

I have a few techies tenants that moved temporarily to TX,FL, so Cal, etc (and temp may become permanent).Also, the tech companies may move their employees to WFH mode, and that doesn't ensure that their employees will stay in SF, since they don't need to.

They usually do not have first and last months rent and deposit to go somewhere  so they end up moving in with family for a temp situation.People say they will repay you but when they look for a job and it comes to them eating, being comfortable with utilities, or taking care of their kids then your rent goes to the bottom of the list.

Due to it being the middle of winter which have negative temps here, the builder could not install lawn, trees, sprinklers, etc and had those items escrowed to be installed by June 1st.

I understand that this could be a manipulation tactic, or he really just wants to show that he is interested in staying, but I'm curious about the opinions of those more versed in tenant law, is this a bad idea to accept (add I suspect), and if so, why?

You could also reach out to temp nursing agencies about renting short term to traveling nurses.I had an "in" with the law school at the university next to the building I managed, and ended up rarely having to advertise anywhere else.  

This is a bad practice and easily manipulated by tenants.I keep a close eye on my properties and do not need to have the excuse of picking up rent to do so.

A con artist is successful because he is able to manipulate you into having confidence in him, even when you really know you shouldn't .