The front house is a duplex with a basement that is only 2’ below grade, there is a lot of support beams but I’m sure it’s possible to add a unit down there. 

Or you can make a powerpoint slideshow complete with laser pointer :) Just depends on what you think would be best. 

I'll also add this:  there is a about pier-and-beam foundations (sometimes called Traditional foundations) and I'm researching right now to figure out what I'm going to start doing on my new construction homes -- I'm leaning towards building them on pier-and-beam foundations. 

He is laser focused on flipping with that formula and does not want to branch out to other parts of REI at the moment.

The main issues I have with it would be that it sits on a slope, it's obvious that the water flows down hill on the property and could need adjusting over-time (sits on beams) the common spaces for the home would be the living room and kitchen (not a lot of room for 4 total people to live 1,488sqft).

Took out some walls, leveled floor and 3 new 60' long beams in the crawl, added master suite, still keeping it 3br 2 ba.

We used an engineer to spec the new joists and ridge beam and not violations were found. 

But having quartz counter-top and tile backsplash with elaborate crown molding, wainscoting and exposed (but useless) beams and ultra shiny new appliances will make a huge difference.  

Single family residence on well and septicVacant for four years884 square feetThe house is in need of some structural repairs to the floor joists and main beam from a leaking water heater.

The roof tile was all new but we couldn't justify the expense to tear out the 1870's era 4x12 slightly sagging ridge beam.