Remember, you can't mortgage this property because comps are non-existent, and you have tie up $85K of cold hard cash(or Home Equity Line/Loan).But like all real estate deals, and especially those in Detroit, I don't trust its actually happening until I see Construction Equipment working.

In fact I learn more here than from "experts"Hoping Jay, James, Steve, Carlos etc opine too. thanks everyone, from 1 of the quiet kids sitting in the back of the room ;).In reality, I think there's too many variables people are not use to that they must be equipped for:1) High(er) cost of capital. 2) Higher barrier to entry(in almost any avenue, even going to your local baseball game)3) Illiquidity in trades(plumbing, eletricians, etc.)4) Scarcity in land5) Technological improvements6) Lack of family formationsAlmost none of this stuff was present before 2008.

and mission is still being developed but something like 'using our resources and position as a real estate investing company to enrich our community, reach the unsaved, empower the saved and equip the church'

If you land on a Class D are you equipped to live under stuff that may be foreign to you (property crimes, shootings, break ins)?

Coincidentally, I also offer to pay them an identical amount to take care of the lawn and snow with their own equipment.  

That's OK - if you are financially equipped to carry the mortgage.Obviously, you know your relatives better than I do - but I would caution you to be judicious with renting to relatives.

Also easier access so most digging can be done with heavy equipment.

Yes, you likely have an implied easement, but probably the best outcome with the path of least resistance and fewest dollars spent is for the other property owner's contractor to dig a new trench for your new pipe outside of the footprint of the new garage since they already will have the equipment on site.

These are typically large costs such as property, plant, and equipment (PPE).

Are there any city codes regarding playground equipment in privately owned complexes?