Fabuloso, which comes in all sorts of colors/scents, placed in a bowl under the filter at the furnace should take care of the smoke odor. 

I'm looking for ideas on how to handle a potential bust cycle and prevent it from blocking my progress towards acquiring a second property.

Paint colors, flooring, price per sqft labour and materials, etc...

If I am going to the more affordable area, I'd try to stay within a block of Kensington Ave versus further in, if that makes sense.I've spoke to some PM's in the area, anything specific you're referring to? 

I would ignore/block those emails, if I were you.

Louis is indeed block by block

They also come in colors (by order). 

If I am not mistaken the current rule is a 12% STR "occupancy" on a given block face in Bexar county.

Regular concrete blocks are structural, shear strength but not insulative.

If needed you can prime an paint the wall with stain blocking paint.