I know a wholesaler who is trying to unload a two family in that area and he needs a buyer.

A good thing is that the lumber that they used to use is much better than today's.

Call instead of email... go to the local professional lumber yards (as opposed to the big boxes) and ask several different account managers/sales reps for names of their clients.

There is usually a good clue if it was a professionally installed fence, the stringers are on the owner's side, chain link or lumber fencing.

Being 1500 miles away, I wouldnt blame you for treading lightly and giving him the benefit of the doubt, but I would unload on him and put the ball solidly in his court to step up or step off.Best of luck!

Had all "true" dimensional lumber, hand hewn beams.

I am always looking at other interesting investment opportunities.My father has a teak and lumber business in Tanzania and he is now expanding that into Uganda and Congo.I am discussing with someone about starting a business in Ghana, so hopefully that opportunity will come through.

The part that gives me the weird feeling is all of the issues you've mentioned make me feel like the seller is looking to unload his problem to some unsuspecting buyer.

Of course the asking price has been adjusted many times but with the attachment at this point it would cost me more than my meager retirement savings to unload the house.

I actually have a partner who would work side by side with me to do the construction, my father in law has a sheet rock business and he would be doing any sheet rock and my mother in law works at ace hardware and lumber for the last 17 years and gets all building materials for her husband and I at cost.And no, I would not be going back to work in the plants.