You should have a conversation with the inspector about the water heater and see if he agrees or not.There are water heaters now that can be used for heat and hot water at the same time.

I get people coming to do seasonal contract work at a Nuc Power plant and they seem to find me via CL. 

Happy to go through things in more detail if you'd like but that's a long post and more of a sit down for drinks kind of conversation.

Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsRead Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingCheck out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select the name of that person which should appear below the comments box.

my cousin said that before my aunt died she made her power of attorney and something else giving her authorization to sign on her behalf.

Oh, and actual lastly, I've seen some nice-looking modern container-to-habitable structure conversions, and I've seen some fugly ones.  

If you seriously doubt it, sit down and have a conversation with her.

Based on conversations it doesn't seem to matter whether it is a refi or heloc, for investment purposes they both require 70% LTV for the majority of vendors plus a 700+ credit score. 

I don’t know about Providence or whoever your governing power to be is but here in Florida, what makes it “buildable” is what the requirements were when the lots were originally platted.

I am not going to just meet them and demand things, but how do I start the conversation (and relationship).The help is greatly appreciated.