A surplus could be good because they're spending less or it could be bad because the HOA is neglecting some of the necessities. 

However, your ex will still need to be evicted and may have some choice words when you meet her in eviction court and she realizes what has transpired.I gotta say this is a crazy plan... 

Being cash you can save a bunch of money on insurance and the companies won’t hassle you over stupid petty stuff as bad as if it was mortgaged

A house that's been full rehabbed, painted with our choice of colors?

Wouldn't be a bad idea to buy some land close to the interstate and sit on it for a few years if you have the means. 

I'm pretty much debt free outside of my 2 mortgages so I'm not in a financial bind...but it just seems like a bad idea to pay so much for space I'm not using.

The small banks are usually the best choice.  

If you have one of the major financial institutions (Fidelity, Schwab, Merryl Lynch, Wells Fargo, etc.) setup your plan then they as custodian will limit your investment choices to that of their offerings, usually stocks, mutual funds and bonds.

But it's not bad. 

I would be apprehensive on history of bed bugsI would say no if a previous landlord gave me a bad reviewand anyone in the world who threatens me out of some perceived moral high ground in an effort to intimidate me so they can get what they want at my expense, well they are surely to receive only my most vile behavior in return.I wouldn't just turn this person down, I would ask to meet in an empty parking lot and fist fight. but then again, that's just me, and I'm feeling particularly hostile today. real answer: you should pass, and stop communicating with this person