Most folks would say that if you've held the property for more than a year you've established your intent.

Third, you will want your rent records to establish what you are losing in rents during the repairs. 

Just be respectful of their time and be serious about taking action to doing the work needed to be successful! 

Really hard to kill that stuff when it is established.  

More importantly, I'm looking to take on 6+ rehabs this year and would like to establish an ongoing relationship with an REO agent who can send me a high volume of deals to take on.Thanks for any help!

Also, how were able to establish your connection with a private investor?  

In reality there is a very definite precedent establishing that the owner of a security is only liable for the amount of his investment.

If they have not paid rent they are already not respecting the rental agreement/contract.  

If you can establish that it was an Arms Length Transaction between two independent parties they should use the purchase price.  

(Your lease should also say that they have to reimburse you for the legal fees of any evictions that you have to file against them.)You can treat everyone with respect, dignity, and equality in your rent collections processes, but don't give an inch of leeway.