The 2nd pic shows the same wall but from the other side and the 3rd pic shows the 2 doors need to be taken outHe said it'll run $1800 to do this and smooth everything out so it looks nice and gives us the space but if there is weight beam in the middle, then the costs may be a little moreThanks

It seems the offset between the reduction in value of your current homes parcel coupled with the equity from the new home, you are adding less than $100K of equity to go through a variance and then build a home.

Looking at almost all the markets I'm in and seeing price reduction left & right.

@Will Costello,Hi Will,The stats I've seen are showing about 50% of existing listings of homes for sale have price reductions.  

However, it's best to have a long list of issues that need fixing rather than one or two, as that would pull more weight in the courtroom.

I think the charm of an historic home out weights these issues...

You do care what your interest rate is.You want the lowest interest rate possible.If the difference between 6% and 9% interest on $150,000 is $9,000 and $13,500, which is a difference of $4,500.The additional $4,500 may potentially only provide you a benefit of $1,500 as a reduction in tax / increase in tax refund.You are still on the hook for the remaining $3,000 difference.

Thankyou everyone for your inputs. does having a family trust and putting properties in trust’s name rather than individual name also helps on liability reduction similar to LLC? 

It would depend on laws in your municipality, but if you are going to allow pets in your unit, here are a few thoughts: are you going to have a size/weight restriction, and possibly a restriction on breed type? 

I was about to say todays rates with no points on that scenario is in the high/mid 6% range.For a refinance, its a combo of rate drop/payment reduction and the loan costs for the refi.