Various electronic rent payments can be set up and they are much more cost-effective than spending, time, fuel, and brain power dealing with paper.  

It is a lot of money but would cut my monthly bills substantially.  

If it isn't a good relationship cut bait.my 2c

The only acesss needed would be for the emergency cut off switch .  

I am moving to Oregon this summer and will be transferring to a university up there so i will take a cut in bah unfortunately.

Regardless, if you find a great opportunity, go full steam ahead and use some equity to fuel a deal!

Sometimes it's best to cut your losses and find ways to either do it better next time or make up those losses as you're moving along in the deal.

I'm planning to approach the owner's widow after I closed, letting her know about the ivy and asking her to hire someone to cut off the ivy, as the trees would fall onto my house, if they lose the fight. 

Not all brokers necessarily care about what your goals are, but don't think that when you are doing your own deals that they won't take their cut of that commission.

I don't think there is any substitute to short cut the process.