The tree roots anchored the piers in the ground, but the normal decay of the tree stumps made the piers have a shorter life span than brick or concrete piers.

@Alex Herbig I am a licensed agent in Seattle but planted my investment roots solely in the multifamilies sector in Everett.

As far as those who are married, they probably prefer to stay where they are because they have already established their roots in a community such as being part of a church or being accustom to their surroundings.  

 - Knob and tube wiring, screw-in fuses, low amperage feed to building - The historical designation prohibits freedom to renovate with modern materials - unlined chimneys - egress does not meet modern code (e.g. window opening size, 2nd egress from bedrooms) - cast iron internal waste or water feed lines - outlets are out of code (GFI for washers, over counters, in washrooms) - hardwired, interconnected fire alarms may now be required - old underground utilities or oil tanks that are not known - dry rot in floors from old water leaks - trees have deep roots that entangle waste lines - nothing, absolutely nothing, is plumb anymore. 

Muncie is home to Ball State University and has strong economic roots in health care and manufacturing.

This leaves them either renting or picking up roots and moving somewhere else.

I would try to figure out what is at the root of your wife’s concern.

out of state but wanting to place some roots 

Also I am connected to many men in the trades which could lower my cost and help me or give me knowledge. sewer line to street may have roots in it and potentialy may need to be replaced or snaked.

So what you want to do is take a single family house (where a renter could maybe occupy for $3,000-5,000 a month) and turn it into two $1.25m condos (making up numbers) that will be bought by people that wouldn't be renting rundown apartments.I know what you're saying, you are creating permanent homes for people who want to invest in the city and put down roots as opposed to more transient renters.