Hey @Oliver BonkWhat about renting the space(s) out to skilled trades?  

It is a crappy job, to be sure, but not rocket science ... if you are reasonably familiar with plumbing and getting to it won't require busting up concrete you might supervise some medium skill handymen to do the job for much less.

The warranty does not cover everything and so sometimes you may have to ask someone for a repair man with skills that is not covered in the warranty but if you do the math, you will save more money this way.  

You and your husband have skills that are valuable.

This guy did substantially more than the typical agent would, or even had the skills to do, to make a deal happen.What bothers me James is you jump to the conclusion that the OP somehow took advantage of the seller.

Sounds like you've got a good background and support for starting out as a landlord -- those practical skills come in handy.

Looks to me like you are combining your skills and passions to make the world a better place, and I applaud you for that!  

This seems to be an emerging strategy in locations with a shortage of affordable housing.  

Huge shortage and they are making a killing.It sounds like you need to keep working and earning income to buy properties?

Actually @Ann North, an architect is more likely to have the skills and experience to know if a lot is buildable.