BiggerPockets

I'd say you're dealing with a savvy investor rather than just someone who's selling their house.

Think about it this way. You go to rent a house. But you tell the landlord "I want to use my lease, not yours." I don't think you would get very far.

You're calling landlords and trying to buy with a lease/option, right? I can see where they would treat you as just any other tenant and want to use their own lease. In reality, most lease options turn out to be nothing more than regular tenants.

Are you trying to actually buy? Why not try a straight owner financed deal? E.G., a wrap or land contract? Do they realize you're trying to buy and not just rent the place?

What in the world? I gota have more coffee! :)

Sean, you might have better luck hitting up old landlords who want to retire from landlording activities....

Yes John, another good approach, people that couldn't sell and ended up renting to move, estate deals, see who retires at the plant maybe the spouse has been taking care of the properties, tie landlords to those events in life that motivate them to sell, otherwise you're spinning your wheels. :)