This may be simple and almost "common sense”, but sometimes the answers to complex problems are simple.I've only touched the surface on SEO, but just know that it's not complicated.

I have wood floors, it is a hard surface but not cold.

Agreed on the price, on the surface it is insanely high.  

When the windy season (or rain, if we get any in a given year) arrives in autumn, I take it down; the tarp generally lasts 2-3 years before needing replacement.Anyway, I'd like to replace that with a robust permanent structure, which I'm envisioning as being a similar structure as the tarp thing; two corners attached to 2x4s in the eaves, the other two out in the yard attached to a 2x4 or 4x4 set of wood posts, fastened securely to the cement surface in the yard. 

Have you tried the cut a closet from the bedroom and into the adjoining room?

I think painting exterior brick could actually take value away from the house because it changes the existing maintenance-free surface to something that will need maintenance (re-painting) in the future.  

I picked the Berryessa house because I would want the yard, a detached house/no adjoining neighbors, and no HOA.

Easy to clean usually means easy to reach, smooth surfaces with few crevices where gunk can hide.

I only know of a couple people starting to scratch the surface of this dilemma.

I would go with these and have them in a kitchen that has granite, but not for a cutting surface which means you will seal them.