Typically, a retaining wall will have dead men, or anchors, 15' or so behind the wall (buried in the earth) connected to wall by rods.  

I was in a bad dead end job that I couldn't get out of no matter how hard I tried.

Any building with steps or balconies over 6' will need a structural pest inspector or contractor to inspect. http://www.ktvu.com/news/gov-brown-signs-balcony-inspection-law-following-deadly-berkeley-collapse

It is essential to carefully consider this trade-off before making a decision.With regard to coverages, @Greg Kasmer is dead on.

In either case your likely better off contacting a local, competent real estate agent to see what kind of offers you can expect from retail buyersI suspect your dead on Steve. 

Give you the wherewithal to pursue and achieve your long-term goalsMany investors start off "too hot", and they either overdevelop their first property or they spend their money too fast - either of these behavior will stop you dead in your tracks, and you probably won't even be able to achieve your short-term goals - and you certainly won't have the resources to pursue your long-term goals.

"Dead" equity is really just that.

We are not familiar with how the real estate laws and regulations work and have been in a dead-end situation due to having a lack of assistance who have the expertise to assist our family.  

Don't want to beat a dead horse as it has already been mentioned but putting money that you'll need relatively soon into stocks is generally not recommended.

A person that was building the house fell from the 3rd floor and was found dead in the basement at the end of the work day.