@Tyler Bushey nice try, those of us with oil are often a mile or miles from natural gas and propane is $$$ and even if you had gas if  you have one boiler it doesn't solve the problem. 

Currently I have a regular primary homeowner insurance policy on the house as it was our primary home for the past year.

My bet on the next twist is the death turning out not to be natural causes.

This is simply predatory in nature full stop.I have sold many of my OREO props on low down ZERO percent financing but they were at market prices and the buyers owned them free and clear in 24 to 36 months that works.. but long term contracts on these homes is not a solution for neighborhood revitalization just the opposite.

A little late to the gratitude fest, but like @Kerry Baird above, I am genuinely grateful for the old timers here and the new voices as the collective wisdom of this group is something I tap into regularly.

She will never be happy with the heat, she can barely afford the place, and she's regularly late with rent.

Start analyzing deals regularly.

This means 20-25% for a down payment, and it has to be your money that you're using (verifiably in an account that belongs to you).Though there are programs that lend up to 90/100 to first-time investors, those programs usually don't work in Maine due to the rural nature.

I have regular drip but am buying Ks so they have both options. 

For example, when most of my development clients started building their portfolios, they picked up properties in areas where at least 1 of 3 things was almost always present: 1) They currently or have previously lived in the area, 2) they have family or friends that attend religious services in the area, or 3) they regularly visit family or friends that live in the area.