I currently live in Los Angeles and considering the following scenario:Buying a single family home with a detached garage across from an elementary schoolCurrently a 3 bed/1 bath but would add another bathroomI would hedge the front of the house for added privacyI would say it is a grade C neighborhood of Los AngelesConvert the garage to an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)Live in the main house but will eventually move and rent out the main houseSchool is mediocre, 5/10 from GreatSchools.orgMy thought by being across from an elementary school is that I may come across long term tenants because the kids would go there from K-5th grade. 

As far as college goes. what I recommend to parents, in order for them to not feel resentful towards a child that may not be as motivated as the parent wants them to be, is to reimburse the child for their grades.

What grade cabinets are you looking for?

What grade materials are you going with?

I have always used a $30/SF adjustment as that seems to be the standard used by appraisers (in my area) for above grade finished SF.

I put commercial-grade sleeper sofas in my units, cuz it's the standard here.

if not you can always cut one in to relieve pressure, we have done that in the past, and as you said gutters and downspouts, as well as grading. step cracking is from settling, and it may or may not be an issue, horizontal cracks may be due to bowing, (common in clay soil areas) and can be stabilized with I-beams if not too severe. 

Rougher or B-grade?

Every appraisal I have seen has used $30/SF adjustment for above grade living area.

Greenville is a great place to invest  @Nancy Lentz and her husband Bob are grade A!