A light bulb went off in my head recently where I concluded that real estate is probably the best investment to aid me in achieving my goals.

If they were located in Chesapeake, Norfolk, or Virginia Beach that would be great since that's closest to me.

There are many government aided loans that you can use to get the property for low or no money down.

Many drink the Kool-Aid  and think this is based on reality.

This link has good info. http://www.anthonyforest.com/assets/pdf/sfpa-heade... your link actually helped, thank u. i was not more detailed in my OP because i really do not know what information is needed to make that decision, sorry about that.its a 1 story brick home, the wall runs down the middle of the house. the wall is about 20' long and i assume the studs are 16" on center. i want an opening of around 8ft or so.based on what chad posted, i am going with the roof ridge beams as the closest match. i am a mechanical engineer, but have never done these calculations in school, so it's a little difficult to admit i need another engineer's help. :)

I live in a neighborhood, I mean in the closest neighborhood to Disneyland, literally. 

Google the local Credit Unions and Community Banks closest to the address of the property you're attempting to finance.

I searched my local REI and the closest member on the list is in a town over 50 miles away.

I guess my question is  "Is she legally able to sell the house"    From what I was told told in Texas.... she is the closest and only heir then she will be able to do so?  

Stay the closest model as possible, arm yourself with the model number of existing unit and let the supplier match it best installation wise.