The increased rent is a good sign. 

I signed up with Biggerpockets over 10 years ago when it was free.

First, the tenants signed a legally binding contract and do not just get to walk away on a whim.

So you may not NEED a lease signed for your primary residence already, especially since that's a lot of stress to find a new tenant and have a lease in place while you're under contract on another home.

They signed a lease for 99 years and it's assumable.

@Matt B.Thanks for signing up for our Beta and feedback!

Either way, do not sign a 12-month lease.

I went back over the paperwork we signed.

Basically, you're saying your intent is not to move in, but with owner-occupant loans for lower downpayments, you will sign a statement certifying your intent is to occupy the property. 

For the typical wholesale the steps are really just fine a deal through marketing, have them sign a wholesale contract, have an established buyers list and send it to them, get a buyer to sign an assignment of contract agreement, and when you close you get paid out your fee from the title company.