Build a solid financial foundation first, then invest.

I would think you would be able to rebuild but not modify the foundation/foot print of the house? 

So I adjusted my practice to buy ¨almost rent ready¨ with some significant issue (preferably roof, concrete, foundation) for cash at the discount, fix an issue, rent for a few years then rehab and sell ... 

If you have much grander vision than that, such as being an influential person in the world much beyond real estate, such as politics, art, philanthropy etc, you definitely need to be exposed to the most brilliant and free mind in the world in many aspects as early as possibly, that probably means going to an Ivy League school or higher education is better as it will get you exposed lots of non real estate related stuff and shape your mind and vision for the world at a much earlier age setting foundation for your life vision early on.

For the foundation, mold growth, etc.

I’m looking at duplex on Friday, and the seller has disclosed that there “may be some foundation issues” due to past flooding.

Home has new HVAC within 2 years, recent foundation fixed.

Hi Laura,I personally prefer to live in house with no trees blocking it's view from the front yard, but a lot of people (as you can see from the posts) like trees in the yard (some like the house almost totally obfuscated and will plant even more).So if it were mine, I'd leave the trees for that reason, and just darken the shutters to a dark chocolate color, leave the paint as is (if it's in average condition), leave the fake well because it seems to match the structure and not detract from it (if new owners don't like it they can remove it easily) and take the shrubs down to foundation height to make the house look bigger.But if I were living there myself, those trees would be firewood for that fireplace (something your Realtor could point out to prospective buyers).

Or wait until I build a better financial foundation.

Could be more costly than new depending on the structure and foundation as it sits.