If you are going to use a solid stain on the cedar you can skip the wood brightener product but you will still want to pressure wash the wood to clean off dust, oils cobwebs and also open the wood pores to accept the stain and sealer.Have Fun!

There are multiple factors involved.One is that the opening through the floor will need to be enlarged.

"No sign shall be erected, raised, installed, moved, placed, replaced, reconstructed, remodeled, extended, enlarged or altered unless a sign permit is first obtained from the Community Development Department."

I didn't see it until I enlarged the photo :-P

Second, I was told my windows are too small in the basement to be considered a bedroom and will need to be enlarged for egress.  

I have related neighbors on either side of my rental that hope by constant harassment to be able to own my property so they can remove the house enlarging their yards.

In order to make the aforementioned possible, we have chosen to go with remove the formal dining room since they are so passé these days and enlarge the kitchen and incorporate it into the family room.

In that effort, hopefully, you can reduce expenses and enlarge your income.  

Wish my phone could enlarge your HUD Statement so I can tead the numbers, but it can't, so I cannot advise.

Enlarge it to show the whole Zip Code Area and search for a Deal.