I've yet to find a "one stop shop" for credit, criminal, or other screening elements here in ME.

Anything with an open heating element has fire risk.

I am a Certified Environmental Consultant and I work with Abatment Companies Every Day!

@David FriedmanYes you are correct, it is almost like a reverse mortgage and yes there is a huge element of speculation to assuming a 2% increase in property value for the next 30 years (although it is in Irvine near the University!).

A good environmental consulting company can help by providing things such as a mold survey of the unit (before she moves in). 

I'm sure the difference is the liability element. 

"Consideration" (a thing of value) is one of the three key elements to forming a contract. 

If you are ever confused about a property, look up the legal description, a townhouse will be lot and block and a condominium will either have condominium, condo or common elements. 

I am currently a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Paraguay, South America, working on Agricultural/Environmental/Health projects in my assigned rural community. 

However, this home is in Berkeley and I am concerned about destroying historical elements and potential added structural engineering costs that could make the house attractive to a buyer in future years, along with the opportunity cost of construction now versus getting rental income from the house in the next few months.