Talking to sellers was a bit nerve racking at first but I am much more confident than I was the first few calls and it's actually starting to be fun.I'll try to do an update next week when I have more information.  

This program DOES cover long term nursing home care, and so can rack up some major bills on behalf of someone who is in a home for years with little or no income. 3.

homes built in this era included "plank" construction, and several up to, and preceding 1900 used wooden dowels, not nails to secure the main structural members. 

When I think of capex, I think of the roof, appliances, plumbing, electrical, water heater, HVAC and other big ticket items that could have issues and rack up a big bill.

Replacing 3 leaking hot water tanks and the wooden floors underneath them in 3 months. 

Seems they all have so much work to handle that if I have to wait in line for my projects, then ill rack up a month or two holding costs with no work done.

Currently wooden studs are twice the price of steel and aluminum studs.

There's a 100 lb propane tank beside the house and tons of lumber but it's on racks so not rotting. 

Which helps for schools to rack higher, combine with a more reasonable price point, close enough to town and military bases, newer builds it makes it desirable for many. 

I go to places like Construction Junction and Habitat for Humanity Restore to buy vintage glass light covers and doors (I much prefer a vintage wooden door over a cheap hollow modern door - and the modern junk is more expensive - I can usually get a used wooden interior door for $10-$20 bucks each and it looks great after it's painted).I also buy used storage cabinet/counter combos and put them in my smaller multi-family properties because those typically lack enough cabinet and counter space.