I'll keep thinking on these questions! 

I think you posted on Reddit too? 

What were the biggest line items?

Grandpa and Grandma take five acres on the back forty and punch in a well and sewer (when it was cheap to do so), run some water and sewer lines with the old backhoe. 

Quote from @Zach Howard: Quote from @Jonathan Greene: If you are looking at properties in the US only on Zillow, and not seeing them in person (I know you are in Hong Kong), this is just an effort in futility because you can't underwrite single-family or small multifamily deals only online.

@Phil SheltonYou would need a civil engineer to provide a drawing to get submitted to zoning and get a permit if it passes zoning is most common This also depends on the road - if it’s a state road forget it as it will take a year to get approved and cost a fortune - if it’s a local road process not as cumbersome but don’t expect this to happen quicklyIn some instances you may have to prepare sight distances etc to make sure it’s safe to add a curb cut

You can use it as a downpayment on a property over $450k and use leverage tax free.

Just make sure you're actually putting pen to paper and doing your due diligence on underwriting. 

She did so on her own after I gave her notice. 

My numbers on the deal were as follows:The Property was in Hales Corners.