@Carlos Rodrigues you stop from foreclosure by restoring the back due interest/late fee's of 15k  which removes the current seller's mortgage from default status. 

And "rehabs" are more restoration work (rehab = rehabilitation). 

The community benefits from the restoration.

. $500 Purchased at discount builder supply stores (Habitat for Humanity REstore, Seconds and Surplus, ShoptheBoss.com) All this stuff was brand new in the box. 4 brushed-nickel ceiling fans/lights -- $160 vs. $400ish2 brushed-nickel vanity lights -- $40 vs. $100ish4 24"x96" granite slabs -- $400 vs. $1,500ishUndermount sink $150 vs. $250ish660 sq. feet of handscraped engineered floating wood floor -- $660 vs. $2,000+40 sq. feet of glass mosaic backsplash -- $40 vs. $320ishCeramic tile for master bath -- free (I used some the people who sold us our house had left in the garage) vs. $200ish1,000 sq ft of FHA-compliant carpet installed with pad -- $1,100 vs. $2,000ish

That's when you know that you have arrived.You mentioned restoring "historic homes".  

Some people restore cars as a hobby but they don't make any money doing it, the returns all come from playing with the cars.

You can then discuss with a local restoration contractor and see if there is any discrepancy, then argue that point.#1 is the easiest solution.

Jon, I have been thinking about this all day and I can't think of any advantage except my overwhelming urge to rescue restore protect older homes which is probably the #1 no no that advise I have for myself which I occasionally ignore.

I was going to to with restoration hardware for the furniture and get waterproof options on the ground floor next to the pool. 

Now that the beach restoration has been complete the beaches look amazing!