This would be a safe route as I wouldn't invest but I'd be paying off my home real soon and not worry about a mortgage. 

Have been through something similar.With regard to the other two, closing is not scheduled until after FLORENCE passes so that’s an interesting problem set as well and one which I am open to advice as well.My family is safe and out of the area, and I will be manning the emergency operations center on base (I’m military) until we get the all clear to poke our heads out.Thanks in advance.

Subway tile is very trendy and fail safe, but not my personal choice to use.

I also want my investments to be safe and relatively easy to manage.

So to be safe you should go to the Cobb county planning department and discuss any property you are considering buying with them to make sure it is permitted under current zoning.They likely also have a 'rule book' they go by that you can read if you're a geek like me :) In Floyd it's called the Unified Land Development Code.

The area itself it generally safe.

Just to be safe expect 30% down + closing cost and reserves. 

Mortgage payments on a personal home is a relativly safe place to launder unclaimed income.

Looking mostly at asset protection and advice on lead free vs lead safe. 

Everyone in the Eastern North Carolina & South Carolina's please be safe!