@Peter Bankhead, define cheap buy for you.

If your agent tells you it's bad form, then decide if you prefer good form or a good deal (as you define it).

It is easily one of the most helpful resources I’ve used to define my steps for flips.

I would suggest that you consult an attorney to properly define roles of each partner in your deal.

Please define 'brrr' for me. 

@Benjamin ForestThe only definitive answer and brightline test came via Notice 2019-07.250 hours or more of "rental services" (as defined in Notice 2019-07) to meet safe harbor 'trade or business' treatment for your rentals. 

Your lease will define your options regarding breaking the lease.

The lease may not say anything about tenants paying for locks but......their should be some type of language within the lease that may define that action as breaking the lease; such as "destroying the property."

@Monique Pope Based on your thread comments, it appears that there are two separate agreements to consider:The option to purchase agreement you signed originally, andThe CRPA to be executed when the option is exercised.Here are a couple of things to consider bringing up when you head into court (BTW, I am not an attorney and I know nothing about California statutes regarding real estate purchase option agreements).In general, for an option agreement to be valid it should have:A specified period of time that the agreement is in force (which yours appears to have), including the conditions under which the time period may be extended,A fixed selling price for the property while the option agreement is in force,A clearly defined method for exercising the real estate option, andValuable consideration paid to you in return for being obligated to sell the property during the time the option is in force.Regarding point #3, execution of the CRPA could be part of the "clearly defined method" for exercising the option agreement. 

First how do you define "Best"; price, speed accuracy, % successful searches?