However, I will also offer the caveat that variable rate mortgages in Canada are more attractive than what I have encountered in the U.S.A..  

And from reading that, it sounds a lot like they follow the same rules as any IRS lien; but I cannot say I have encountered this type of lien before ...

Few of you may saw my previous  post regards the bumps I have recently encountered in my early RE career. 

If you need an outlest for generosity (or guilt), once or twice a year, send the lender a thank you package of fruit, candy, flowers, gift card to restaurant, iPad, etc.Good luck in Iowa, I'm from Ames.

I would offer them packages.  1) a predetermined (you pick) place to stay funded by you, plus a grocery store gift card to replace food and supplies needed for them to clean.  2) they can stay wherever and you will discount their rent based on a prorated rate and a grocery store gift card to replace food and supplies needed for them to clean. 

Building out my due diligence package and I'd like to get ball park estimates from GC's who are aligned with my business strategy.

Do you encounter this problem in your area, and if so, how do you go about finding out if the deceased owned any real property?  

Run your market/rehab #'s for each property separately to see if its a deal or not, then calculate rental cap rate. this will let you know where you actually stand on the package and you can use these #'s to find a partner or investor/buyer that may want to buy a few of the properties from you or just buy a few from him and help him sell the rest.

Bob,At the risk of catching-one for stepping into the dance between you and Ben, I would offer up that the amount of rent being paid is the same, or close enough not to account for the heat being included {it's never free ;-)}, due to the business model of the current owner and the appetite of the market.We encountered this phenomenon quite frequently when looking at 30-40yr+ old properties.  

@Ross Ellington - I haven't encountered this personally in my VA loan experience, but I cannot see them legally bumping a tenant out.