There s no longer any Federal protection for "tenants in foreclosure", it expired......state regs rule.

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+, zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680, some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

3) what would be the purpose of a forum full of questions with no answers?

Higher end home buyers are usually more rate and market sensitive.I see you're down in Texas, so if that is your market, weather plays less of a factor consideration as it does for us up north (no one likes to move in the winter unless they have to and things slow down considerably).  

Estimated total cost of rehab is between 100k and 150k.

Is he able to kick him out if rent is paid on time every month and no parts of the lease have been broken?

Also the work could end up costing me a lot more than 25K.  

No General Contractor wants to do a remodel with the residents still living there....they will charge you more (they probably will not show it, but the prices will be higher because of the huge PITA factor and increased liability)I would wait until you have completely moved out and then just give them the house empty and ready to roll.....But you can get a Scope Of Work going and start getting bids...even plans and permits if you're going that far...

If he says no, just ignore him and be persistent.

@Ryan Dickerson There really is no silver bullet, this gets asked a LOT.