The sewer is old terracotta and runs under the neighbors driveway.  

Here in Sydney it's not such a necessity as roofs are either terracotta tiles or metal and they get replaced maybe once in a lifetime (local metal roof manufacturer gives 30 years warranty).

Was a complete tear off replaced with new plywood and 30 year shingles.Property 1 we just replaced the sewer lines bc it was blocking up on the old terracotta pipes underground.Property 2 we replaced roof within the last 5 years.

Also, almost all our sewer lines run out the back and to the ally, and many are 8" terra-cotta if they haven't been upgraded. 

It's hard to read the writings on it, going by what I can see and the terracotta color.

Otherwise you go to the kitchen and living room and your HGTV glasses start portraying what's possible and reality is still hidden in the basement where the broken furnace, terra cotta plumbing, and fuse box are hiding.. this isn't to say that a house can't work with these problems but these are major expenses that usually you and the seller haven't accurately diagnosed, meaning the real number you need to purchase the house at is much lower. - Finally, do your best to be organized.

Both houses were 1950's cast iron under the house and terracotta main sewer lines from house to street. 

No ducting for HVAC, terra cotta plumbing under the house, odd electrical setups.I'm thinking that I could probably pick up a dump of a house in a transitioning area and knock it down to build a new quadraplex.

We went back with a contrasting tile and probably a terracotta color for the ways with white trim.

In total we replaced the entire main sewer line from the point of origination (at the house) to the curb, with numerous calls to the city who in the past has denied where their pipe responsibility starts.We start digging again , all the sewage pours onto the sidewalk and see at the beginning/under of the sidewalk, there is a leak as the old terra cotta pipe and or boot is cracked/broken.