It is zoned multi-family and I could do 14 or 15 straight townhouses but the City in question, while they immediately adopted the latest ADU rules, has archaic multi-family land-use regulations centered on a large apartment complex mentality that are costly for infill / middle housing  (1.75 off-street parking spaces per unit, major landscaping requirements, "amenity" requirements, unreasonably large setbacks, etc.). 

While I no longer have health benefits or vacation time I still get to contribute to my 401K and receive my employer match on that.

Health care beeing the prime example: the american for-profit health care system looks like an unbelievably rigged pyramid scheme designed to extract money from the population - this is so clear when you have the comparison to other countries.

The neighbor bought it with the intention of fixing it up but due to health deterioration was not able to do so.

This step must be done carefully to avoid further damage.Structural Repairs: Address any structural damage first, including the roof, walls, and foundation.Systems Repair: Repair or replace electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems as needed.Interior Restoration: Once the structural and system repairs are complete, focus on restoring the interior, including insulation, drywall, flooring, and fixtures.Safety and Health Concerns:Air Quality: Ensure proper ventilation and air quality during and after the restoration process to remove smoke odors and contaminants.Mold Remediation: Check for and address any mold growth, which can be a common issue in fire-damaged properties due to water used in firefighting.Final Inspections:City Inspections: Coordinate with the city for final inspections to ensure that the property is safe and habitable.Fire Department Clearance: Obtain clearance from the Fire Department confirming that the property is safe to occupy.I hope this helps, best of luck!

My mom keeps hers at 68 due to health reasons so I figured give people an extra degree. 

When managing one of my mother’s properties, I went though sheer hell with one of her tenants to get her evicted for nonpayment of rent, while also dealing with my mom’s failing health with dementia.  

If youre really worried about the rate differential, just buy it down to match what the rate would be for a primary residence product when you put permanent financing in place and mentally account for it as a Stay Out of Jail fee. 

Here's a very small pros and cons list I've made for the area:Pros:Potential for Appreciation: Rapid growth and development can lead to property value increases.Stable Rental Demand: Proximity to Raleigh and economic opportunities ensure a steady stream of potential renters.Desirable Location: Good schools, amenities, and quality of life attract families and professionals.Cons:Market Competition: Increased demand can lead to higher property prices and competition among buyers.Out-of-State Management: Managing a property remotely can be challenging without a trustworthy local team.Economic Dependence: The area’s growth is closely tied to the economic health of Raleigh and the Research Triangle.

Whatever they had to do to put all these moving parts together and make them viably work to some degree, tells me about their business mentality and possibilities for future success.