The worst part is this; Said Lawyer, let his investment Tax Deed lapse.

Tempting.OPTION 2 - OPPORTUNITY ZONE INVESTING from CA: If I understand OZ/QOF correctly, CA is one of the worst states for OZ investors to live and invest in? 

In our experience, the #1 mistake landlords make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.

On the other hand, if you signed an agreement and genuinely owe them the money, and an honest mistake was made at closing, you probably also signed something like an "Errors and Omissions Compliance Agreement" which states you will cooperate with the closing agent/title company to correct any errors. 

Even the bad boss will teach you what NOT to do so you won’t make the same mistakes in the future.

Sounds like you may have found the worst house in a nice neighborhood....not the worst situation to be in re: valuation once renovated given the comps. 

In our experience, the #1 mistake landlords make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.

Network at RE meetups and get to know others who do what you want to do, get tips and tricks from them and learn about the mistakes they have made.

That is the mistake so many make. 

However, you would have been making a huge mistake even before you would have refinanced...assuming you could have.The words, Lease Option, and rehab should NEVER be used in the same sentence.