Ideally the home will need minimal work but I do have some family in the renovation business that I can lean on as well if need be.

Taxes in Buffalo aren’t as cheap as other places but prices are low so decent returns are possible - minimal appreciation of course.   

That would protect the remainderman from years of delayed maintenance, unpaid taxes and whatever else.  

offer an addendum to delay until eviction is completed and another walk through is complete by you.

Check with whichever brokerage you use, they will typically waive any company split or fees (or have a minimal flat fee) for personal transactions.  

Or minimally. 

We also had a plumber abandon the job (ask me for his name), which caused us a two month delay...The project came on the market in the winter of 2018/2019 which was a horrible time for the market.

@BJ Gibbs -- it depends on what your purchase price was but you may be able to do a delayed financing under a bridge/hard money loan now and get some of your money back (probably 70% - 85% of the purchase price) and get your rehab funded for you.

However, the prior contractor has cost me approximately 13-15K thus far with the deposit I gave him, holding costs where minimal to no work had been completed, and having to demo and haul away the work that was done incorrectly. 

If they are taking a long time then I would ask them what the delay is.