Standard of living is relative, dont try to change how people live, and dont expect them to change because you make the unit nicer.

While some of what you said as it relates to the mechanics of the unit is a little over my head at the moment, that information was incredibly helpful and I will keep it in mind as I move forward! 

I figure if I can get some part time work with a real estate related company then it can only benefit me.

She was a relative of the owner and wanted to know the details so she could relay the info. 

A lot of forum members are very knowledgeable in their respective fields related to real estate investing, whether that is real estate sales, wholesaling, flipping, rentals, lending, self-directed IRA and Solo 401k investing, or tax and legal guidance.The site has quite a few tools that can be helpful for new members.

Most of my relatives live in those areas.

If you can translate these risks into relatively quantifiable numbers they are easier to manage. 

I actually learned that from an uncle that was in real estate and everything ease you could imagine and NEVER did business with a relative.  

A foreclosure in a nonjudicial state is relatively quick and cheap.

I have some friends/relatives who own rentals there, some in Burlington and some near VT Law.