Water is very bad inside a home obviously.In Austin we have to balance being able to build inside the virtual ceiling height of a building and keeping the foundation high enough so that earth isn't at the seem of the foundation and framing.You can also add drains around the foundation to help move water away from it faster. 

The "hot spots" for gentrification are the Heights, Washington Corridor/Rice Military, First Ward.

I would look into Boyle Heights.

Reaching down to the Microwave is less usable than having it at chest height or higher. 

I'll cut that tree even at the roof height, then I will sculture steps into its trunk, or mount bronze railings on it, then I'll build a tiny meditation hut on top of the truncated trunk, and a small overhang so you can step onto your roof.

We also make sure to recommend a forward tilt and pull out tv holder, it makes the height view to be adjusted. 

Other towns that are good: Elmwood Park, Fairlawn, Hackensack, Woodland Park, Hasbrook Heights, Lyndhurst, East Rutherford parts of Garfield, Lodi, Passaic. 

Welcome to BP, likewise I don't like HOA's and I am still dealing with one on the first property that I bough at the height of the bubble & have yet been able to sell.Best of luck

Thanks for kicking this conversation off @Troy S.Here's a little info about the project and our plans:Existing 1450SF structure. 3 bedrooms, 1 bathCenter stair Layout, cutting building in halfRear room on first floor was added after original building, seems stable enough to build on.Basmement 7' height, clean but don't see the value in digging out and finishingCondition is rough - floorplan doesn't work.

A friend of mine who has a 2bd/2ba in prospect heights rents it out for a little over $1K less than the carrying costs but the apartment has gone up over $150K in value in just 2 years.