If you think that by handing someone money and having a piece of paper that you have since lost, that you have legal right to the property, well, this will be an uphill battle.  

theoretically this should be an easy deal to analyze.

I'm in the process of getting pre-approved which should not be an issue as my wife and I both have perfect credit.

Move back home, house hack may be an option with your available cash as well.

I suppose extending the close would be an option if they didn’t want to move out.

We should grab coffee some day.

That vehicle requires that the retirement-funded business be an active trade or business, not passive holdings.  

Getting to the right person in the county that is able to understand exactly what you are looking for can often be an ordeal.

You have a right to enter as long as you give proper notice, and there is no requirement that he be present.this could be a very innocent request from the tenant but it could also be an indication something is wrong.

If you prefer to be more hands-off, be an LP in a syndication where the sponsor/operator is experienced with executing value-add projects.