Hi @James Meyer,The HUD homes specifically are on the "HUD homestore" website (Not sure if I am supposed to put in external links but you can google it).

Maybe this is obvious, but do I need to do anything special for external faucets/piping?  

It's even better if there's an external property management company that's been documenting vacancies, repairs, their fees, etc.

I invest in condos because I have no external maintenance and my costs are very predictable.  

Anyone who quoted you the external excavation solution...wow.

But I think my external family has enough of a taste of the success of what we're doing that I don't worry about any debbie downers having much of an effect at this point in time.But yeah it seems like right now, Rachel has been more naturally geared towards the book keeping, paying bills, and then pitching in a helping hand etc.  

Some people believe life just happens to you and you react to it(external locus of control).

The quote for a heat pump was about $9,800.00, which would include one external heat pump that would power four "through the wall" units to distribute heat and AC throughout the house.We are eligible for about $2,300 in rebates on that system, so that drops the net price to $6,500.00.Once we install it, we'll drastically reduce our winter electric load, leaving us more power to sell back to the local utility.

In Cupertino, CA I know due to setback distance across from Apple Spaceship, someone sought a permitted full basement with external entry 1500 sf, great room, huge quartz countertop and fire place. 1500+1500 sf. 

This however is a risk... because you have an external variable driving local prices way beyond wage levels.