The liens at the top of the list were higher priority and got paid first (such as the $54K the former owner owed the IRS) while the liens towards the bottom of the list would only be paid if there was still money left after paying the higher priority liens.Since the IRS lien was priority (or at least that's my understanding) didn't they get all $40,001?

However, the existing door bottom needs a cut. 

It obviously adds income to their bottom line and they've provided a State of NJ registration/license to operate that appears good until 2022.Anyone aware of any laws, issues, concerns with allowing this to operate?

So you're saying the giant tree in the top 2 pics was cut down into the little branch in the bottom pics?

Looking for some negotiating tips.I found a tired landlord selling a 4 bed 2 bath house. asking 225 and already gave us his bottom dollar of 200,000.  

We rented out the top floor for $795 and the bottom floor for $750.

The income alone from those properties would be enough to live on in 15 years and they'd be cash flow neutral for the first year or so.

My contractor replaced the studs and the bottom half of siding.

Still, some landlords have compromised only to have it hurt their bottom line.

(The answer to this is very important as it gets you closer to understanding what the seller's bottom line is)I hope this helps a little.