You'll have to figure out with your realtor on what is more desirable in that neighborhood, pool or no pool, and then decide that way, but either way you're probably looking at 5-10K depending on how much sweat you want to put into it.

My lot/location is far more desirable too.Do you need to save part of the existing foundation to be approved for a 203K, because that may be off the table.

Some investors will chose this approach ( @Michael Swan ) while others would rather leverage historical appreciation trend that goes back at least 50 years (requires little effort).If he desires the more passive route of riding market appreciation he should still sell because his ex-home purchase was not purchased to be a good RE investment (it was purchased to be a good home to his family) and that by searching for a good RE investment rather than a good home he can find an investment that will out produce his ex-home. 

Are town homes desirable as a rental property in Houston and is a 2 bed/2 bath an attractive combo?

Daria,  I'm not sure if your mother's desire is to remain in Paterson, but if it is, the new senior complex (Freedom Village) at 69 Straight St looks very nice and the builders seem to have put in some nice features, the website states apartments start at $1100. 

Hoping to be of some help to those affected by the fires and desire to rebuild but are under-insured. 

@Darius Anderson@Todd Dexheimer and @Brian Burke have both given superb advice.Here's my example that you can maybe learn from:- I spent 2 months researching specific market (demographics, job and population growth, income, crime, desirability of various neighborhoods, rental rates, vacancy rates, etc...) all while analyzing about 100 properties in that city.- I narrowed my search to 15 properties that performed well on paper - I booked 2 days with the real estate agent (who I've been in contact with for the last 2 months) and he arranged viewings for 12 out of 15 of the properties- I booked a hotel and drove out there and we walked through every unit of every property.

The area is less desirable overall, but closer to the large employer in my area.

I guess I should start by introducing my self My name is Sergio I live in the awesome city of Phoenix, Az I came to the U.S 22 yrs ago from Colombia, I served honorably in the U.S Marines and I currently work in the oil and gas industry in the frozen state of ND some of my hobbies are riding my motorcycle, hiking, shooting at the range, salsa, bachata, vallenato dancing.Like almost every one I was influenced by Robert Kiyosaki's Rich dad Poor dad a few years ago and that set in motion a desire to get out of the rat race, I started working in the oil industry to get out off debt as prescribed by Dave Ramsey now a few years in to my oil field career I've accomplished some financial goals and now ready to dive in to the real state world so I can work for my self "minding my business" (forgot who said that but good quote) I like to focus on buy and hold rental property the residual income is something that is appealing to me, I guess my goal is to eventually stop "working" and spend more time with family and donate more of my time and money to my friends organization helping disable kids and under privilege families in Colombia.I hope this was a proper intro and it wasn't too long looking forward to one day being on the Bigger pockets podcast with Josh and Brandon and having photograph taken with Robert Kiyosaki.

Tony Robbins speaks about this often as well to reward yourself immediately after completing a desired task.