i was thinking something like they could write up a bill of sale for there cars to me and i would hole the title and bill of sale and i would give them the money to get the mortgage current then i could get it on subject to and then hust give them there cars back when it all said and done. this way i have some leverage over them. and if i did get into trouble it would look like i just bought the cars from them so they could pay the past due amount. would that work?

I also had to prove the footers were in properly, which required me to dig some pretty deep holes to find the bottom of them.

There are many more excellent sites on this topic, but that should get you started and down the rabbit hole that is internet/email/content marketing. 

I am just not sure whether there is an oil tank, if it's hot holes in it, if it has contaminated the surrounding area and the extend of the soil contamination if any.

Maintenance items are smaller things such as repairing a sink, fixing a hole in the wall.

If the survey is returned and your property line is moved +/- 5 feet, heck +/- 10 feet will that have a monetary impact on the purchase?

So if you hit your monetary goal early, then withdraw, pay the IRS, and go on with your retirement.

Additionally, I would expect that this would induce the tenant to retaliate with heavy damages to the property - - broken fixtures and holes in the wall. 

Even if your wife looks like Cristina you will dig yourself a deep hole unless you partner with someone who actually knows what they are doing...

(Adam might get some additional free time, but no direct monetary compensation.