I've seen in very durable plastic with non-slip surface.. otherwise I'd replace each stair tread and then put this covering over it.. 

There is not enough homes for sale to satisfy demand in most areas around the city.

The owner may want to see what price he can get, may be willing to sell only at a fantasy high price, or may be making believe he's selling to satisfy a spouse or business partner.  

But once you have satisfied the residency requirement, absolutely you can move out.

you'll stand a better chance of creating a long term business.I had a similar experience to Joseph - when I first started out in my electrical contracting business (early 1980's), I was asked for a business card to pass on to a friend of my "satisfied customer" who needed an electrician; in my haste to get started, I'd overlooked that "tool" and consequently lost a larger job - and who knows how many more !

ISSUE:  How do you structure a deal that would satisfy the Short-Selling Bank, the County (backtaxes), and the Owner, while still being financially viable for Buyer?

I believe judgements will stick with you forever until you satisfy it.Thoughts??

I've called at least a dozen hard money lenders and they seem to shy away from "owner occupied" and any that spoke with me longer than 10 seconds wanted 10% down (equity doesn't seem to satisfy this).  

The prices are great and the brick exterior is lower maintenance and durable.

There are places in So Cal that can have positive cash flow but it will not match the cash flow of many other places (I have only 1 property that satisfied the 1% rule).