Impressive 2-story great room boasts marble fireplace& designer accent wall.

Just about every window has a crack coming from the corner on the wall.

While you had more experience when you started and you have much different criteria than we do, your story sounds similar in how fast you purchased properties (with a heloc) and that you hit the same financing wall we were beating our heads against.We have not continued to expand for a few different reasons, but I'd encourage you to research portfolio lending.    

Helping to configure room expansion with walls removed and design help would be nice too.

I've been thinking about buying some of those t.v. lights as well, they plug into a wall outlet and from the outside make it look like there is a tv on.

The basement has a concrete floor, not finshed .water seeps in through the wall . any reccomendations for the kind of dehumidifier?

It was the product of bad loan products being created an sold to an unsuspecting securitized market by the banks and wall street.

So I splurge in things they will notice and appreciate...better appliances, backlit rocker switches, remote control ceiling fans, 6-panel doors, upgraded flooring, decent furniture and accent walls.  

Check out the floors around the outside walls and windows for soft spots which are usually common for mobile homes.  

There is significant damage to the upper and lower unit on one side and wanted to see if there were any suggestions for water monitoring/sensor systems that can be placed around the house and even in walls to monitor and alert you of moisture in those areas.