My lawyer spoke to the tenant right before the eviction trial (like a mediation) and the tenant agreed to pay the past rent thru the security deposit and agreed to pay the remaining on 8/31/17. 

It's much easier to get a release signed.I had one in PA were the contract called for mandatory mediation.. so we did that. and like most of these deals we split the baby down the middle.. even though we were for sure due the whole 10k.. but usually as a seller I will offer to split it.. and that usually works.. out west as you say what happens here is if its not handled in a specific amount of time 6 months to a year.. the title / escrow company will interplead the funds to the court.. and then buyer and seller have to hire attorneys and argue in front of the judge.. so obviously no one win's in that scenario as most of the time cost of court and attorney is greater than the money being fought over.. that's why I like my win win.. just split it.. the one in PA those folks were kind of nuts and it was 10k.. so I get the mediation. 

But in my 40 some years I never have and that spans lending building developing flipping sub too foreclosure sales you name it.Can't say it would never happen but the facts are in civil litigation if you do get sued these are 99% of the time settled in mediation and or arbitration...

Now, if the seller continue to disagree, title company suggest we for to court for small claims mediation.

My novice opinion is that Joel's comments can be mediated with strict tenant screening and detailed, systematic management.

The seller is re-mediating.

I always wondered when I first got on BP all these east coast investors would say talk to an attorney.. we never ever do that unless its a massive transaction with multi millions..or litigation and even at that in our contracts we have mandatory mediation clauses.I would NO WAY NO how transact on the east coast without attorney and title insurance.. the land is simply too old.

I will be happy if they leave, but it doesn't look like they will do it without mediation or even a court hearing.

@Cynthia Nina-Soto  sounds like a mediation... its amazing how the market has flip flopped in the last 36 months.

In the viewing of the property it was me, the seller, and the promoter (mediator of the deal who takes a commission for making the deal happen) of the property.