My friend had done just a huge amount of work and the finished product was gorgeous.

Oh yea, and it is gorgeous here. 

That's only 500 years.The Abbey around the corner was built in 1090, and there was an old church much older than that (but I can't find the date).If stuff is built to last, and it is taken care of, it lasts a very long time.The house was a framework of gorgeous enormous oak beams with the spaces in between filled with woven willow branches, horse hair, and plaster.

Nope gorgeous house, upgraded kitchen.

Your listings are GORGEOUS!

I wanted something I could afford with my own money and cut my teeth on something big enough to be challenging but not too big to miss out on the education. 

In Clemson, it might be like pulling teeth to get this info, but it is certainly worth pursuing.

Nobody needs a dentist they are welcome to take care of their own teeth.

If you're looking to get into rentals, maybe a better idea is to start a little smaller home wise and cash-out refinance the big house to buy 1 or 2 smaller homes to cut your teeth on?

@Lamont Marable - cut my teeth in Baltimore over 15 years ago after getting started in Capitol Heights.