The lender is stating the following: "we would require a mortgage on the lot in the amount of $90,000.00 when combined with your $50,000.00 deposit would be $140,000.00 down payment apx a 20 percent down payment"Is he saying I need to find another $90,000, or that he will act as the mortgagee on that portion as well? 

You are probably a "customer" which means they don't represent your best interests and have no requirement to protect you, negotiate on your behalf, etc.

What options do we have for locking in purchase of the property NOW & him avoiding the tax hit of an immediate sale before it goes back on market next year.

Ive always avoided apts because I always felt the tenants are more transient.

Im willing to pay 75% of market value now to help you avoid the 50% crash, 

@Mac Boeve Michigan statute requires you to provide a MoveIn Checklist to every tenant, which they have 2 weeks to complete and return.If you fail to provide one to tenant, it may exempt them from MoveOut Damages.If tenant fails to provide you a completed MoveIn Checklist, they assume all MoveOut Damages.If tenant fails to give you forwarding address within 4 days of MoveOut, you technically don't have to give them an Itimized List of Damages - meaning you can theoretically charge them for anything, any price.You should know, a judge may disagree with you if tenant takes you to Small Claims Court to challenge your SD deducations. 

Managing a small renovation budget required careful oversight to stay within financial limits and meet deadlines.

Some states require you to keep the funds in a savings account.

Can the issue be avoided if I simply wait to sell until I leave Japan?   

@Alan Johnson When wholesaling properties, we require a $2,000 non-refundable deposit paid directly to our company.