Without exception, every one of those laws has denied access to funds and denied home ownership to people who could have enjoyed property ownership if there were a free market.The number of workers in my chosen profession, mortgage brokerage, is down by nearly 80% from its  2007 peak.  

I'd be able to assist in the project management, and I have access to quite a few good GC's and specialty artisans (ie, tile, roofers, etc) that could be subbed for the project; however, I don't know (personally) anything about new builds here in WA State.Thanks for any input in advance!

Did you directly have access to MLS or hired an agent?

The different of a few blocks can mean the difference between fairly comparable rental units being able to command $2000/mo in rent vs. $3000/mo in rent, and if you don't know the areas well yourself, you run the risk of buying something one block too far over-In return for high cost of entry and high rents, the returns are larger. 

Simply get a Power of Attorney from the seller to be able to access bank accounts regarding that particular property only.

Having both will grant you with more confidence and greater access to necessary information (not to mention saving time, as you will not have to wait for someone else to allow you to view a property or provide comparables as your wife can now carry out such tasks).

I say it's what it would fetch on the market, but there really aren't many comps except on the other end of my block where someone demo'ed a house (anticipating later construction) on a same-sized double lot (102x134) but their cross street is a quiet street, and mine is busy.

A tub with access to the drain pipe can be replaced in a few hours if everything goes right.

I have access to county tax records online here in GA.  

The benefit of putting a property in your wife's name is for accessing financing later.