The lease and I explain that the tenant is responsible for yard maintenance.

If you see this and they haven't moved, then you know you have a problem with a tenant but at least pipes aren't bursting.Your lease should require they keep utilities on, and if they don't then they are liable for damages.

From the research that I've done so far my options are:purchasing subject to existing mortgagewrap mortgageland trusttrust deed (i'm not sure if this is different than a land trust)lease optionAny suggestions or clarifications would be helpful along with Pros/Cons of each method.Thanks for your input ahead of time.

Lease-options are tricky in TX due to the laws of executory contracts that are longer than 180 days.

Hey BP,My realtor found a property that is a good lease option buy for me.

In my lease I state "No Pit Bulls or Pit Bull mixes are allowed on the Presmises."

Of course the property would need to be a relatively higher cap rate considering it would need to cover the 6 & 8% interest being paid.Another option would be a lease option or something of that nature, sublet and exercise the option with private money or a conventional loan.I would love to hear some other ideas/thoughts, etc. on this!

Also, get a signed and notarized statement from each tenant detailing their current status, whether a lease exists, when it expires, who pays what utilities, their move in date, the deposit amount they gave the landlord and the current rent they pay and any and all discounts they currently receive.

I also would greatly appreciate any lease language examples that you would have to cross reference mine against for the following:1: Inhabitable Conditions (Fire or Other) both accidental and lessee caused.

If the tenant is a m-to-m I would "update" the lease and make an addendum.