So far, they've been researching what they can but I'm not sure how much progress they've made.

The contractor needs to be able to communicate and keep them informed with pictures of progress, updates, sign-offs on permits & paper-work, etc. via digital means.

Keep us posted with your progress.

Did you make more progress?

I did encounter a limit recently by Progressive of 100 years old.

Look forward to seeing your progress!

Welcome Thomas,Your assessment is correct on the NW.

. :-)Again, I'm not looking at this from an appraisal or a tax assessment or a marketing standpoint...those definitions of square footage are well defined (for most areas), but often unrelated to what it cost to actually build the structure.

Property tax assessment = $410K land, $40K improvements (building) = minimal depreciation deduction.Current home will rent for at least $2200, up to $2500.Mortgage on current home = $295K, $1350/mo.Property tax on current home = $550/moHomeowners Ins on current home = $75/moCurrent home will likely not go up in value very much over the next 3 years.So, is it a better financial plan to rent the current home, and be able to take tax deductions, and assume negligible effort as a landlord, or sell the home, and invest the ~$250K cash that will come out of the sale?

Unless you are buying at a discount, plan on taxes going up.I am not sure how Texas handles assessed values on property, but first you need to ask;1.