So, we compromised.  

I'd be curious to know of your criteria and if you've had to compromise on anything.

Otherwise, you may compromise or completely lose your credibility.

Your 'expert' has poorly advised you.The issue has to do with adverse claims by heirs, beneficiaries or creditors who believe their position were compromised by a reduced sale price.

My husband is a software developer and needs to live in the city where the jobs are and I miss living in the woods where I grew up so this will be a good compromise for us.   

A simple, compromise law that would serve both interests groups can be crafted by State legislators and integrated into State HOA law.

So, a final compromise may be the northwest burbs.Until then, we are considering buying a duplex - or triplex- in the north area of Chicago,  Our original idea was to buy a place, live there for a few years, and then pull equity to buy our house and have some additional passive income later on.

Wood doesn't really ever fail unless it's been compromised by cutting or moisture.

That seems like a decent compromise and you get a few more years of (hopefully) hassle free landlording to get started.

If I were to want to invest in a multi story brick/concrete building built in the 20's to 60's what sorts of things should I look for to see if the structural integrity of a building may have been compromised?