Edit: If you haven't taken possession yet,  tell the seller you will pay $2000 for delivering an empty home.  

An unrecorded deed is more than effective to grant possession. 

After a week of back and forth it was finally ok'ed to close and I took possession of the property 2 days after. 

I'm trying to figure out how buying only REO is better for the seller than buying it before the bank takes possession?

I personally don't get offended one way or the other on this stuff, but some people are married to their possessions and would take it personal.

The good thing as I stated previously is that the property is abandoned so I dont need to vacate the property via writ of possession,  eviction or anything.I plan on going to the property the day after the filing of the certificate of title.I also got a quote for insurance during the period of all the construction activities.

Stating that a member’s post is “totally false” is tantamount to calling that person a liar or an uninformed fool.Well, I’m flipping the script and telling you that your post is totally unfounded, not credible, and ridiculous, for the following reasons:In regard to your first point, see Texas Attorney General’s Opinion H-356 which provides that "under Sec. 31.04 [of the Texas Penal Code] one who secures the use of rental property by deception, threat, or false token is guilty of Theft of Service.When the tenant's right to possession under a lease is expressly made contingent upon the payment of rent, the tenant is subject to prosecution for theft of service, if he knowingly pays his rent with a worthless check."

Obviously, this can be a costly process.If they did remove all their possessions of value and it's reasonably believed that they will not return to the apartment, you could go ahead and repossess the apartment and change the locks. 

Pete when "X" occurs with her daughter, but still has possession of her current home and doesn't need to find something short term.If she's unwilling to go that route, cut your losses and move on - why waste your time and effort on a deal gone south, when you can find a new deal that WILL work?

Still, better to have the best protection available "when the predators encircle" than to hope that your umbrella policy will protect your possessions instead of adding to the blood the predators seek: "Sure!