I would hire a surveyor, this will prevent any problems down the road, then there is no question where your property is. also check with your town zoning ordinance on fences, you will have to get a permit, the height of the fence is usually regulated and the distance back from the property line you have to install it ( usually around 5" back) posts on your side and the fence facing the neighbors.

Hello BP!  I was hoping to get some help/advice.  I purchased a SFH at the end of July.  Closed on 7/27.  My original plan was to rehab and flip the property, but as I approached my close date, it was apparent to me t...

You need to incentivize them to mentor you or partner with you, either you work pro bono for them or bring something to the table of value.To your comment about "shady" or dishonest, I would encourage to you be as honest and forthcoming as possible, I don't know about you but I got into real estate because I wanted to do something meaningful, profitable for my family's benefit, I wanted to benefit from my level of effort rather than giving it to someone else, and most of all I wanted to make the world a better place by improving whatever it is I am working on; I want to be able to lay my head on the pillow at night knowing I did everything I could today to move forward in a positive direction and did so with integrity in order to prevent any form of regret. 

Is there anything i can do to prevent that?

It's not uncommon for folks out of surgery to be given blood-thinners to help prevent dangerous blood clots.

I lnow over time the cost will be higher, but it also prevents neesinh to upgrade in yhe future and I can have.

There is nothing to prevent you from renting to a family member. 

Is there a formula for budgeting for preventative maintenance and repairs.

Note Well: When people fall behind on their mortgages to the point where they are foreclosed upon, they almost certainly have stopped doing preventative maintenance.

Sometimes the law prevents you from taking on or creating risks for others even when you are ok with it , others may not be, and so the laws look out for everyone's interests not just yours.