But...in the Gatlinburg fires a few years ago, it burned to the ground. 

@Braulio Espinosa As far as the law and code goes they shouldn’t have any grounds to fine you or anything if it passed final inspection, and there are tons of houses in any given city that violate setback requirements.

Also, iso "boots on the ground" i.e. contractors, pm's and if you like any local lenders/banks, I am also interested.Where are you exactly ? 

I can tell you from my actual boots on the ground experience that everything in Tempe (and West Mesa) is getting multiple offers right now.

The three of those in a row, should really get your feet grounded!

Typically an engineer will come and run some tests on the ground to make sure it's the proper density, composition, etc. before any building takes place.The site prep itself is everything after the grading and before anything is actually constructed.

I have not found it necessary to drill through concrete, as some people do, but I did pour the solution into cracks where a driveway or sidewalk meets the foundation.Look for paths that underground termites can take to get from the ground to the framing of the house.

if there is water bubbling up , the ground isnt perking enough to accept the discharge .

Properties in your neighbourhood would be much easier to tend to as you can be on the ground whenever something comes up.

first steps should be to divert water away from the house before it seeps into the ground. gutters, downspouts, and grading will go a long way.