I added a decent amount into the house (new paint, new hot water heater, brand new kitchen, better layout) but I’m not sure if that’s enough for me to appraise for 20% equity. 

At this time my goal is to make the purchase in the spring.

We want to know exactly what interest rate we’ll pay on a mortgage, what the water bill will be, if the property next door is thinking of selling, and everything else that has even marginal relevance.  

The water bill can be transferred to the tenant's name.

I love the idea of renovating your carriage house - does it have any water and electric hookups already?

I have a lot in Bonita Springs, FL that is ready to build that I need lending on. $177K land (refi), and about $589K for build.

There are many buildings with systems reaching the end of their life - Galvanized hot water risers, leaking vent stacks, aging window systems, outdated elevator and fire safety equipment.

New roof, new water heater, new Electrical panel, New HVAC, new Concrete driveway, new Concrete steps & walkout basement, Open space of kitchen and living room, fully finished basement with wet bar and new full bathroom, new windows.

When turning basements into ADUs, and the breaker box, furnace, and water heater are down there, what are best practices for handling them?

But that’s not necessarily true for the spring semester which starts mid January.