If they do not set up this transfer in time, then they simply wont have gas or electric service until they do.

Victims already have so few safe places to turn, they should have the opportunity, if they qualify on other criteria, to rent a new safe home.All this said, it does drive me bananas when I see another article that says "so and so is being evicted for the second time in a year... so sad... they could not find another place to rent in time" - that never mention that the tenant did not pay rent. 

Basically I want to know what an awesome irresistible offer looks like in times like these.

No matter what you do in Real Estate investing, you either need to pay in time or money.

My guess is you should 'fess up to the Seller, apologizing profusely all the while, cancel the contract, and consider yourself LUCKY that you found out your mistake in time!

However, I would intimate to her that your offer was based purely on the poor condition of the home & your 'limited experience' in the true cost of a complete rehab.

But, prior to making our decision, we would also look at the circumstances that led to the eviction to determine if they were high risk or low risk at this point in time.

The docs usually get to Colorado sometime the following Thursday or Friday just in time for the sellers closing.

There was a point in time there was talk about some LAX airport overflow stuff too.  

It's a very rough area and at this point in time I have no interest in managing a rehab OR tenant in that area beyond making sure the property is secure and not falling down.