I would say your best bet is to stick to an actual "30 calendar" day notice, and to specify that in your lease agreements.

Off market deals are probably your best bet so connections are really important.

@David Greiner the most common "porfolio" or "commercial" loan in my market is a 20 year, Adjustable Rate Mortgage.  

@Brad Ball you bet. 

If you take two comparable homes of equal quality, condition, age, features and location but differing sizes, the smaller home will invariably show a higher value for $/sq ft.That number is somewhat useful in a development where there are cookie-cutter homes that are identical in every way, but unless the development is new, some will have been upgraded and/or updated and others will not.Your best bet is to get contractors in to bid on both a gut rehab and a tear down. 

I might adjust down with a newer/extensively renovated property or up with a very old one, but I don't have a firm formula for doing so.You can always make a financed offer.

I posted the ad on CL even tho I agreed not to show it till they moved out, but if he doesn't pay all bets are off..!

I posted the ad on CL even tho I agreed not to show it till they moved out, but if he doesn't pay all bets are off..!

You've got an attorney representing you on the closing side who should be well versed in this area, your best bet would be to lean on him/her for guidance.My question is, why are you choosing to close on 1/31 and not 2/3?

Figure out a purchase price that makes sense and then adjust the down payment amount, the interest rate, and length of the loan.