I'm from South Florida (Palm Beach County) born and raised.

{I would be concerned of the impact on the long-term stability of the brick if there is moisture trapped behind or within it}

He told me that right around the time I was born, the rental next to my parent's house had to be trashed out post-eviction.

And trust me I was born to a very poor family, we barely had food ain’t silver spoon’d, had no excuses why not to go into real estate.Good luck!

This is where I was born, and we were both raised here.

If there were an area of the country where I would pay strict attention to what was deemed prudent, acceptable and conventional practice, it would be an area crawling with attorneys and federal regulators, like VA, DC, and MD.I realize that not everyone is born with empathetic genes or thinking and that many think business is all about screwing the other guy to get ahead, so I don't get upset anymore, it's just a lack of understanding of fair dealing and accepted business practices.The thinking is much like eating an elephant, you do so one bite at a time.

@Arlan Potter  "first born" That's the best way!

Wouldn't it be best if he could increase his odds by setting traps?  

I was born and raised in Las Vegas where my dad was a real estate investor since the 50s.

I've seen (mostly senior citizens) who fell into this trap.