However, OP might have been doing RE strictly on his own time.

If so, good news/bad news is that you can invest in anything you want without restriction.

There are a lot of considerations like setbacks, lot coverage, parking requirements, height restrictions, floor area ratios, stormwater, utilities, access etc.Assuming you can develop multiple units you could proceed with the development, set aside one unit for your father in law and sell and or rent the remaining units. 

If you prefer videos there are probably lots out there as well.Networking - Easier said than done with Covid 19 restrictions, but there are a lot of high quality discussions on this forum. 

My parents are in Maine and the covid restriction are stupid.

That means on a 300K property, you're looking at $75,000 down plus closing costs.If you go with a Fannie Mae Home Ready loan, that may work, but there are income restrictions. 

They are quoting deed restrictions as reference now.

Any restrictions on cars per household or allowed to be parked on street overnight? 

Ya, him extending the restriction on evictions is nuts.

. - Covid has restricted rent growth here since March of 2020 and removed the ability to charge late fees. - It has been on the market for over 300 days.