While new construction is much easier to budget for since there are usually no surprises, you may want to have the contractor include a gray clause in the contract.

@David Thompson Great advice!

Have you ever looked up employment and per capita incomes for Grays Harbor, Washington? 

Moreover, the court certified the case as a class action, paving the way for the refund of fees to hundreds of sellers who sold property in this Dayton suburb over a six-year period.The suit was brought by property owner Jason Thompson and the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, a non-profit entity.

I would advise sell one property that can yield you like 40-50k profit and every month have like 2500-3000 go into your joint account (and yes pay the truck)-as far as taxes go its a great time to be in real estate and based upon the new tax reform there are some great deductions out there -I wont get into the proposed regulations on the new Section 199A as that has been discussed elsewhere and as an accountant that specializes in Real Estate the matter is still a gray area (there are still great deductions aside from 199A)-good luck and if you want to reach out see my profile

@Jordan Thompson  I live in Nashville and visit the smokies throught the year.

@Penny Thompson - thank you for the read and the support, and I hope this helps you on your journey. 

It's a very gray line and you really need local RE legal advice here. 

Buy your own gray plastic box, hang it on the outside wall, and run all of your cables into that. 

Fashionable is gray or dark thick(25mm, 15 mm) with good backings.