The accessibility to contractors, market familiarity, and buyer demand all play huge roles in the success of a project.

I'd imagine the interest rate plays a large role in what discount is given, along with house value, down payment and credit score of mortgagor.

In some states, particularly those with warmer climates and robust population growth, seasonality plays a less significant role.

Immigration plays a big role in this, so it would be hard to predict unless you know what happens with population growth.I think it's still a basic human need, and one that the government can not provide at a reasonable cost.

Almost zero but normally they play nicely.7.

I also know that they "didn't know about the sale ahead of time", so I have to imagine that played a role in the lien. 

Trying to save money by foregoing insurance is playing russian roulette.

I will play devil's advocate here. 

As mentioned if the holding company is not solely holding or owning assets together funneling monies as a loan would further complicate if there is a default but also cause you to file extra tax returns = $...Yes you are taxed on interest income or any money that you make, does not matter how you structure it, what comes into play is not how much your taxed but how much you pay someone to figure out for you how much you need to pay and each layer is an added cost. 

Some of the further out areas seem like a good investment and appreciation play but I personally don't want to live out there yet.