That's great you have family on the ground their.

Do they have any grounds? 

Stand your ground, firmly but nicely.

Find out more information, make connections with folks who live in that area or invest there, get boots on the ground to give you feedback. 

There is more personal satisfaction building something from the ground up.So Andrew, go for it.  

On higher end properties I use micro-ground porcelain tile that is nearly perfectly square, and set it with 1/16" grout lines.

You can call me lazy, but figured might as well talk to the boots on the ground instead of spending countless hours researching Google, Zillow and etc.

You could try to get a low maintenance ground cover established in the areas that get weedy.

If you're set on a Homepath property/loan, move fast -- the program will be discontinued as of Oct 6.http://www.mortgageloan.com/fannie-mae-ending-homepath-mortgages-9752It does look like they may be phasing in some good financing for 5-10 multis, which could be interesting.

Towel bar, toilet paper holder, ect) Electrical outlets plumbing Lighting Celling fan/ventFloors General outside of kitchen/bathroom Floors $3,500.00 Molding/trim (millwork cost included in section 12) Baseboards Electrical $7,800.00 Electrical panel Electrical outlets(grounding, circuit breakers) Electrical outlets placement Light fixtures / or celling fans Light switches Wiring Replace Light switches as needed Replace wiring as needed Plumbing (tentative) Old Galvanized pipes (outside of kitchen & Bath) – cooper Main water supply in take Sewer line8.