Let them put food on the table and catch up.

What can I come to the table with to help make the relationship as efficient and successful (both in the near-term and long-term) as possible? 

You could go after them for a judgment but for most tenants that's not worth the paper it's printed on because they have no assets, often work under the table, and if they make too little money they are judgment proof anyway.There's also an argument to be made that you bought the property with the current condition of that unit priced into your offer, so there's no reason you should get a second bite at the apple and also go after the tenant for causing the unit to be in poor condition.

If investors are looking at these to it might be a challenge as we can't come to the table with a cash purchase.

If the tenant is unable to prove hardship and still refuses to pay, then eviction is back on the table in this case.

The question is what are you bringing to the table?

Plenty of knives and forks, spatulas, a strainer, toothbrush holders, iron and ironing board, coat rack or hangars in the closet, coasters on the end tables.....all of it!

Then he casually lets on that he's sitting across the table from an old school friend of his - my agent that convinced me to use him. 

Once the deadline passes, the offer is removed from the table.

Enough to put food on your table and pay some bills.