Have a lawyer write an agreement and include a clear date for sale, include the disposition of possessions in the house if any.

My understanding of a land contract is when a buyer gets possession and makes installment payments to the seller.

Write up a simple letter for the tenant to sign (along with you also signing) before a notary that agrees to a "voluntary surrender of possession".

I have tried cash for keys before as well with other folks and I still had to go through the whole process to get possession of property.

There is slight chance you can pay off the lien and take possession of the property if there are no other liens and there is a clear title.

June 2016 repainted the interior and other minor maintenance in preperation for sale, however 2 contracts have fallen through and we are about to have our 3rd fail (with Possession Prior to Closing to make the situation more complex now).

Many of the flippers I know do some work to a house after the new owner has taken possession of it.

  [ While this property is reported to be vacant, buyer is responsible for obtaining possession ]  I'm looking at the listing in Mancos.The Inspection report states the property as vacant.If you bid on this property, I would insert in the bid form online that you want a "Clear and Marketable Title for the Mobile Home and Land" I have never worked with Auction.Com but I have worked with Hubzu (Altisource) and I always include that clause. 

With state-owned property, no investor has ever taken possession of the property.

A Writ of Possession would be given if the tenant defaulted!