After 2 years, I decided to move there full-time and bought my primary residence / retirement home on the main body of the lake.  

I honestly don't mind my career, just worried about the toll it will have on my body in 10 years- hell, I'm already feeling it. 

Keep in mind, however, if you decide down the road you want to sell one individually you will have to overcome the hurdle of convincing the lender to release that one as collateral....which could mean handing over some or all of your sale proceeds towards principal payment.

You will want to be sure you understand the type of leases (full service, NNN, or something in between), zoning restrictions, remaining term, expected CapEx on releasing (for TIs and commissions), etc.

While the law is pretty clear that money belongs to the Decedent's estate and not the heirs (theoretically coukd be other heirs, claimants or creditors) I would do the following: if the amount is less than $1,000 or so:1) Draft a very simple release of funds referencing "CA Probate Code Section 7001 whereby the property of the decedent passes to the legal heirs, subject to administration of the estate."2) Include a simple release clause that they agree to indemnify you in the event any later dispute3) Write the check payable to both heirs, jointly, so that they both must endorse it.4) Send them a holiday turkey or something.

I would then make sure that the title company confirms receipt of an original recordable deed from the current owner to your seller that expressly contains that 30 day restriction BEFORE any money is released from escrow to close.

Offer again to release them from the lease then take it to court.

- Can we place release prices on each SFR in case I want to sell one?

Shell recently put out a press release with their intentions of moving all the corporate offices to the Energy Corridor so that should definitely help the resale price in the future.

Then I would have the seller put that amount in escrow to be released back to the seller  after the site is proven to be clean after removal (escrow if you want to proceed with closing if time is of the essence).