For frame of reference, Santa Monica requires $13K for permanent relocation assistance.

That way he wont feel obligated to stay there permanently.

I will need to run electricity to the garage from either the 1st or 2nd floor tenants electrical service (just to work on the property, not actually putting electricity permanently in the garage).  

Hi Quinton,This may or may not be applicable to you, but if by "unemployed" you mean "on temporary disability, but my job is waiting for me when I get better, and we have an estimated return to work date," than this would be a scenario where ADA trumps ATR and you can still get a traditional mortgage.Fannie guideline on long-term/permanent disability, on social security disability, and on what may be applicable to you: "temporary leave income," which includes short term medical disabilities.For that last one:Just like women/men on maternity/paternity/pregnant leave, a gap between temporarily reduced income due to medical condition, and your normal income, can be made up for using asset depletion.

Lots of permanent renters, people on disability/welfare, Section 8.

But still no real estate and no big fat bank account.

Don't make decisions based on a false sense of permanence.

Contact the local power company to hook up both temporary and permanent power - you will need both to build and need to make sure with them what it will take to get power to the property if it is not there already.

The DMV handles the title to the home unless it is declared real estate and becomes a permanent fixture with the land.  

We use the following rule of thumb - if it does not do permanent damage to the property, if it does not cause neighbors to complain and if it's not a legal issue - it's probably okay.