Are you in a region where snow removal may be necessary? 

I'm a wholesaler in inland empire area in California and over the last few weeks I have sent out 3250 direct mailer post cards to absentee owners with equity and all LLC were removed from my list.

Any suggestions on removing the skunk smell? 

Decorations the kids like on their walls will need to be removed on leaving.

Total at closing each time for me was around $5,000 which included escrow, but even with escrow removed on a $100k house closing costs were $3,000 ).

Can someone recommend a good company that can trim or remove the tree if needed?

Should note that the $1750 monthly mortgage payment includes insurance and taxes, and as I will be living there I will be doing the property management, lawn care, snow removal, etc.

This is in Pennsylvania..IE; what's involved in the purchase process and how the occupants can affect it, as well as eviction if necessary to remove them after closing?

Property taxes run about $2,800 per year, and it will cost me about $480/year for trash pickup, and $600/year for snow removal.

Its just a promise to pay, and if they loose their job, or a leg, or a spouse, or any other reason, it could force them to stop paying, and if they can't start repaying, ultimately you would need to get a Deed-In-Lieu, or foreclose.Also, not to split hairs, when you buy the note, you are not the lender, you are just the note owner who receives all future payments; you never lent any money.