They technically have until the date of judgement to pay up.  

No judgement but what are my options here?

He was RENTING the house out this entire time (he owned multiple properties in the area) and was not paying the mortgage - for YEARS he collected rent and when I looked over the foreclosure judgement, the bank had also been paying the taxes and insurance!

You would need to research how often that happens and make I personal judgement call. 

They had judgement pending in the property and never told us until 2 weeks before closing.

file the eviction and get the judgement.

Even worse is them filing a mechanics lien or judgement against you.

The idea of getting market rents on a complex that large is too tempting- clouds my judgement.

judge mental.

Don't put judgement on how design companies make their income, no one is forcing you to hire that specific contractor, providing that they are within budget, and they pass your vetting.