This particular cat urinated all over the drywall on a wall and the cement in the basement.

To your point about a partner, I would be willing to, but I haven't cemented those connections yet to feel confident.

@Stephen Rodrigues- thanks   1)  I would recommend  asking for some  referals for  agents  from  people that you know in the area ( if applic)    2)  if you need to use  financing - get  a free pre approval in  place  for any scenario you want to use  and ask the  mortgage person for a  realtor  referral or two  to connect with   3)  visit the area for an  extended  amount of time to get  some  connections  cemented and also  to look at some  options  so you can  determine if this is  worth proceeding with 

Not sure if city / county code laws do not allow for the homes to be modernized with materials such as fiber cement board / hardi board panels.  

Just stick with a fiber cement product over a vinyl product, or go with the cheaper priced product backed by a lifetime warranty.  

(so now it's over budget) and is it best to set it in a cement footing and he used silicone?

Some HOA are responsible for everything exterior, including siding, roof, cement, etc.

I use cement board under all tile. 

Looking at names drawn in the cement sidewalks, we later confirmed this to be the childhood home of a good friend’s wife.

You don't want to piss these people off too bad.I have seen people dump cement down the toilets on a ranch slab and the floor had to be jack hammered up and a bunch of new pipe put in.Have also seen a person tie a refrigerator to the top flight of the stairs so when you came in the front door it came flying down at you.Also have seen where they take a sledge hammer or regular one and go all throughout the property making holes in the wall so you have to replace all of the sheet rock.When you offered 6,000 what was their response??