This way, you can make changes to the agreement to favor your interest in the transaction. 

The courts always favor the tenants too so if they were there under a year, it could be a real issue because it is so much harder to evict if they were paying the rent. 

That'll drive your next steps.If it merely relinquishing an interest, then prob nothing.If it is relinquishing interest in favor of a named party on the deed, then prob something.Ask your escrow person.

The first is more in our hands to be able to actively swing it in our favor, but the appreciation aspect isn't necessarily (outside of value add).

(Unlikely but still possible)HELOC: Pros: higher LTV, pretty low rates, and you don’t have to use it if you don’t need it. cons: smaller payback period, usually only avalible on primary REFI CO:Pros: favorable rates (especially now).

I'd like to minimize my risks.I suppose one might say the point of including the Lease contract along with the Option is so that the investor can pre-negotiate the favorably higher rent for rent credits/Seller's positive cash flow.

So please do yourself a favor and do a lot more searches before you start doing this or start looking for "investors".

It's up to you to be the smart investor to make the terms favorable to you.

Anytime you are looking at investing in real property, either commercial or residential, do yourself a favor and order a BPO!

Like Jeff S. stated 1-4 units have favorable loans available to them.