I poked my finger through the drywall and water shot out about four feet and got her wet.All of her possessions were ruined and she had no insurance.

Tell them if the payment is not in your possession at midnight of the first, hit 'em for 8%. 

The entire point of a lease is that the landlord is ceding control and possession of his property to another.

I purchased  a property in Dec 2019 and legally took possession in January of 2020.

If delinquent tenant doesn't show up, I get immediate possession, if they do show up, I get 10 day possession.

They might need to sign the proper paperwork depending on your state with the cash for keys agreement just stating that you are taking possession.  

People forget the risk, like a basement getting flooded and then getting sued by the tenants for their possessions all while there is no income coming in.

Upon further investigation I learned the price is so great because he purchased the property in a tax sale and plans to offer me a quit claim deed (he currently possess the tax deed).

We really wanted to take possession as soon as possible because we are fearful that the house will significantly deteriorate if exposed to the elements in its current condition -- particularly during the winter months.Has anyone had experience with such and issue?

If your agent had trouble getting a copy from the LA, he/she should have been more aggressive: send request in writing, contact the LA's Broker, walk into the office demanding it etc.And I have never ever heard of any agent in a short sale being ok with the bank taking the property to sheriff sale because he/she assumed the bank would win the bid, take possession of the property and then still cooperate in the short sale.