Clearly the seller / agent is someone who know how to prepare a sales brochure but needs to double check their math.Hope this helps.

@Erin Schenk I am an investor and real estate agent in Bakersfield and have considered out of state as well, but for me, I prefer Bakersfield becuase I manage my properties myself which increases my cash flow and cuts down on vacancies and repair costs. 

Since this tree is massive, it would likely cost $10K to cut it down. 

wow your answer is so helpful and clear.

First, tell you boss at your company and make sure it's okay -- it doesn't do any good to make an investor mentor if you also lose your 9-to-5.As for approaching the individual: 1) explain why you're interested; 2) say that you did get the ok from your company, and that you're doing it in a totally private not-related-to-your-company way; and 3) offer to help out with his properties like you said.A key thing to be clear about -- if you offer to do any of your professional day-job work for him on the side as a favor for him helping you out, you need to be sure that your company doesn't mind you doing it.

I hired Craigslist help to help clear the mess.

This should clear up the issue of he said she said.

Just to be clear - my goal is not to save money if quality and liability would be compromised.

Do you own the lots or cabins free and clear? 

This is the only scenario that clearly benefits the original owner but the benefit is typically only some high rent amount.In summary, the downside for the current owner is so much greater (loosing out to huge appreciation) and more likely to happen (historically the appreciation has been outstanding) than the upside (that the tenant does not exercise the option and the owner has been able to collect higher rent than a traditional rental).I did know a couple of tenants in San Diego that had a lease options.