We have a decent amount of savings, at least enough for a down payment and closing costs on our next home, but the buying power just seems so limited in our area. 

In order to get power ran back to our house, we had to get a structural report/sign off from an engineer.

Getting financing in the U.S. as a foreign national has come quite streamlined, but I'd recommend understanding your purchasing power up front and getting full transparency on all costs you can expect.

Because the 401(k) is an employer plan instead of an Individual Retirement Arrangement, many of the plan-side features are more powerful, such as higher contribution limits, the availability of participant loans, etc.Structurally, you can achieve full checkbook control over either an IRA or a Solo 401(k).  

Most do not realize the moment they get financing the mortgage/deed of trust is recorded and you cannot sign it "anonymous" or if you use power of attorney, you need to record the power of attorney and you cannot sign that "anonymous".I am curious, why do people want to remain anonymous?

I informed the bank of my mistake and he got repaid.Point being as @Casey Powers stated, electronic payments can be reversed outside of the 60 day window.

That last part is a powerful question that Puts a lot of perspective into keeping a home or not. 

She was told by our local power company, PPL, that our meter base needed to be upgraded, THEN they could put her meter in (there was no meter in her unit because the previous tenant moved and it has been unoccupied for a few months).

You just have to remember to put the battery changes on your annual maintenance schedule.

For instance, if your rent is $1000/Mo and the annual inflation rate is 5%, the buying power of $1000 will decrease to $950 next year.