Look at the alternatives available to you and pick the best of those that you see.

Heck, what's the alternative?

The "holding" concept is new to me, I like it as an alternative to signing a lease, especially if they seem wishy-washy.

Vinyl plank is a great alternative as well.

Then a disability group took over two more spaces doing daycare work-therapy for handicapped adults, they also collect & sort bottles/cans, wrap napkins with cutlery etc for hotels/restaurants & are very busy.

Should I just automatically write these off or is there some alternate way I don't know about to find out what the insides of these homes look like?

Or, alternatively, if you have any other proven methods of purchasing properties that need just enough work the bank will not lend on them but not so much work that the price works for hard money, let a guy know, because that is the pickle I continue to find myself in.  

I am actually glad that you brought up the alternative route of looking into being an assistant manager or something similar for a multifamily owner or developer.

If you look at the math though and you have investment alternatives that will generate more than 3.5% then the decision is simple and always gives the same answer.

I would (1) check your local laws to see what they say about giving notice for month to month leases in your area, and (2) do NOT offer the rent increase alternative if that's not what you want.