I am willing to negotiate but I feel like they want me to wait so they can stiff me after the fact. 

While the joists do cost more than traditional lumber they have largely become the standard for framing floors in residential construction due to their increased stiffness aka. their ability to reduce deflection in the floor, in general less bouncy floors are preferred by users of all building types. 

I started at the FOIA office and was shuffled around and sent from office to office and was essentially met with a bureaucratic stiff arm...I was told to go to 333 s state for water shutoff (which when I went they said they don't have such things) passed off between rooms and people for the other two lists without yielding anything.

The fines can get prettty stiff if the purchase or eviction violate the act. 

When you purchase a home with a HOA you agree to all their rules, or else you will feel stiff consequences- and the law is on the HOA's side, as you were given notice before purchase.Does that help?

A working stiff of an anonymous mgt co you think you've heard of but can't quite place it. 

Undeknowst to me at the time, seller also had agreed on a fee and decided to stiff the bird dog.  

I'll add that Lease to Own in TX is highly regulated, difficult and with stiff penalties to the seller.Lease Option is fine, just not contract for deed.

I will bet some of my money that your tenant will not stiff you.

However, the MLS systems will get word of this and just institute restrictions with VERY stiff penalties for any agent or broker who shares information with third-party listing agencies.