Normally these are not approved for such use and in some cases it was the tenants that did not the landlord.

That office functions just like the executor of a normal estate and would have to approve any transaction regarding the assets of the estate.

I used it on some 'normal' rentals (not expensive / not cheap) and it did the job I wanted. 

Is it normally 1.5 or 3%.  

Most likely the seller will be choosing the cheapest price which normally isn't the best job/warranty's,materials,etc.I would prefer a credit for the roof, whether that is a reduction in price or a check at settlement.

I would normally advertise 15+ residential rentals marketed at this time of year.

And normally, the lawyer will help draft the operating agreement or partnership agreement.  

Although things could be a little different for me in the Midwest I do this same thing with a cheap rate and monthly discounts and my income is 1.5-2 times the amount I would normally get renting the units out long term.

MLS, it had been on the market longer than normal so I asked them to bring the price down.

Option 1 is normal closing time but a low price - low enough to compensate you for the extra 5-6 months of delay.