@Jaime Julian When you transition into rehabbing, I propose the following action plan.

Just check your state landlord tenant regulations for the legality it should be clear.Get your landlord pants on and get managing your property by first sitting down and studying your state legislation.

@Melisa Claxton Since you are interested in fix and flips, I propose the following action plan.

., recent earthquake retrofitting legislation may open doors for you!

Recently passed legislation in North Carolina doesn't sit well with many of the types of companies which are based in the Raleigh area (source cnn money "...Cooper spoke as more than 80 CEOs and executives co-signed a letter to North Carolina's governor pushing for a repeal of a "deeply discriminatory" bathroom law...").Does anyone have any opinions on how this may play out?  

I will get in touch will all of you soon, and propose a meeting place and time. 

Is there a way to lower his tax bill while benefitting us in the process that we could propose to him?

Assuming you were buying the deal, how would you propose it's structured?

Yes, I did all the running around first to create a 10 page proposal detailing my experience, the properties, the numbers, comps--everything I could think of, and submitted to HMLs.

A creative approach I have adopted is by contacting a real-estate agent who obviously represents the "sellers' interest and ask them to propose leasing options on sale properties that have been on the market over a year.