Just wondering if you have any info on what's driving this market growth, how long it's expected to continue, how it's expected to survive any downturn in the general economy (there are many signs and predictions, but nothing really solid yet), etc.It's great to have growth if the soil underneath is deep and fertile.

In parcelviewer it looks as if the new parcel underneath each tall & skinny is distinct and separately owned (A and B side by side).

and oldest comes up so unless you know there is a newest under neath that tab you maybe stymied a big.. but then you click newest and U get to the last post.  

You will need a soil specialist to come out and determine what kind of system. 

I really don't want to throw more money at this apartment by getting a whole new shower/tub which would involve ripping up the new flooring, and dealing with what may be underneath the current shower/tub.

Foundation issues can occur in any area, but some areas may be more prone to them than others due to soil type, weather patterns, and other factors.

If you want to remove this tree and replace it with a Japanese Maple and repair any soil/grass damage caused by the tree removal company that's fine as long as you pay for it..I wish i could help $$ but i cant".  

What are the site conditions/topography/soil/etc?

You could pay cash for the lot and find it is a sanctuary for the purlpe-pink butterfly that no man has ever seen, or the city has a restriction that will not allow you to build the 2-story house you want to build on the lot, or 50% of the lot has some sort of encroachment for storm drains, or the soil won't support a house.It can take a year just to get approval for what you want to build and you need to pay for soil engineering results, plan check, etc..

However, people are adding them as they get smarter.Gutters prevent erosion of the soil and foundation, reduce damage to exterior walls, prevent water from getting into the house, etc.