If you can go owner occupied instead of renting something I think your risk is way reduced. 

I imagine that the sell price would be greatly reduced with the home in its current state, but are there any issues with selling a home with damage and mold even if we told all of the issues we are aware of to potential buyers?

Finance: Review your books and reduce as much expenses as possible and start stacking away money for your purchase. 

Ask for their previous rental history and follow up with the other landlords to reduce the risk.

Excellent ideas here, @Lucas Carl  I use a similar strategy for my LTRs in order to reduce the impending stress caused by tenants with the wrong mentality.Reading your post brought to mind a question I've never considered before:  are vacation rentals subject to Fair Housing Laws in the same way that LTRs are?  

For tenants who became unemployed and hours cut I reduced their rent.

All extra cash from tax prorations is now used to reduce principal.

Do the Seller's want all cash now, or would they prefer to do some owner finance over 5 years to make a little interest and reduce their tax bill?   

Taxes went up" - they didn't, or you appeal a year from now and get them reduced.

This vehicle costs a bit more to setup initially due to the legal structure, but will be much more useful and will save you a lot in reduced per-transaction fees from the custodian over time.Several providers of these types of plans are active here on BP.