Yes being a landlord has many hats.

My hat is off to you... it takes a lot of courage to state your goals and hold yourself accountable in such a public forum.Let us know what you need to achieve your goals, keep us posted on your progress, and...Best of luck!

It was a great house to live in (I can't move back in for several reasons), but it is the WRONG kind of property for investing, I'm renting it a slight cash loss after taxes, but with 7 years into the mortgage there's at least some equity gain going on in the black.Personally speaking I am 30, own two different businesses (both successful) and since I have taken the time to find a good property manager and learn quite a bit about real estate investing I figure it may be time to throw my hat into the arena for real, but I have several odd challenges facing me.

The 3300 sq foot modular delivered and set on my foundation was $106K / $33 a sq foot, that includes the extras of 9' first floor ceilings, high hat lighting, wood burning fireplace, etc...

I cut my teeth as a commercial real estate attorney and now I'm changing hats to become an investor. 

My hat is always off to those who go beyond their comfort zone.

If so, has he worn a "developer hat" before, having knowledge of the re-plat/subdivision process (if req'd) that James mentioned?

This is a problem for the grandma, and you need to put on your problem-solving hat. 

but again everyone has an opinion and many attorneys are wrong.. you hang your hat on an attorney one day you get burnt

Your parents have set some tough rules hat you seem particularly bothered by.