You will need almost 20 feet of compacted fill to bring the back line within a 4% grade of Middlebrook.

For example, is it going to completely run the pharmacy portion of the business? 

If every house on the street is experiencing similar issues, they also all have grading issues.

I'd get some appraisers in the area or check with some log home builders up there and ask them who's best for appraisals..Is the access to the lake a good grade..We have extended family huge old pine log cabin with the chink stuff between the logs.. vaulted pine beam style roof, original stone fireplace, 4 br, with huge fireplace room and large added on family room it's not a 4 season place. and have over 400 ft of lake shore with boathouse, about 4 acres in Detroit area. we had to get appraisal for insurance purposes and was hard.. came in a little over 1K a foot per lake shore. 

In reality, the homeowners typically use the ground floor as ordinary living space.If your home has a problem unique to it, a general contractor may have a way to cope with the problem (sump pump, grading, etc)

Okay guys, this duplex has some what looks like serious foundation issues going on, this is a duplex built in 1895 and is a slab on grade foundation.

It might be worth considering bringing in a partner who is experienced and competent in community development. 30 acres means you should have enough land to develop the lower end of an investment grade community that is well worth doing.You should know that many husband and wife teams started with very little, borrowed a lot of money, worked smart, and very hard, and five years later found themselves millionaires doing just what I think you are considering doing.

Only stone, brick, stucco or concrete can go to the finish grade.

Property summary:Location: Burke, VA (22015)Single Family Split Level 2-Levels4 Bed/3 Baths, finished basement with exterior entrance1,185SF Above Grade Living Area; 525SF basementCorner lot, approx .25 acresMy parent's have owned it 34 years and are looking to relocate full time out of the area (been splitting time between Burke and Myrtle Beach past 15 years).

Trying to be as  specific as possible about one of the most subjective topics in RE investing- Neighborhood Grading.