Based on what my attorney provided, the plots aren't worth a ton of money, but since I haven't done a land deal I'm not sure if the actual sale price differs from what she got me.

If your cabinets are made out of plywood and nice enough painting is actually a great option. 

If so, at what actual cost? 

A 1%- and 2%- rule property is hugely better in California compared to Costa Rica because you can leverage in California and you can't in Costa Rica (notwithstanding the fact the risk is higher in Costa Rica too so you'd actually expect a higher return there).

I have actually changed directions with my investing since I posted that a year ago.

You’d be shocked by how little actual screening many PMC’s do!

Plane, Train, or Automobile and meet in person.

This may sound harsh, but I would actually put this on the tenant to get his rent payment back.

They're listening to the people actually buying the house and enjoying the area.

I applied for a HELOC and when they ran the title it came up that the 8k grant is actually a second "soft" lien against my property that will go away after 5 years which prevents this bank from allowing me to have a HELOC.