We saved the concrete slab, although it could easily be removed.

I could recommend beach areas in Chiriqui Panama, cheaper than Bocas del Toro for sure...or maybe in the highlands, there is a lot of renting going on...more houses than condos...we work with rentals as well and its hard to find good properties available for rent..right now I can tell you the biggest demand for renting condos is in the city, where you can still find good places for 70 up and the rent can easily pay your mortgage, as I have done myself..

It's not that hard in Michigan...if you're:1 -in the right market2 - Know how to "use" money like a chess game3 - Have a plan based on a series of achievable goals that dictates "when" and "what" you invest in...and you stick to it.If you thoroughly understand, and can implement all three of these disciplines, at the same time, as a "team"...and none of the three are more important (or less) than the other two, you can do it easily. 

Along the way we are coming up against some questions that are not easily answered using Google. 

Everything you describe above can be done easily and inexpensively if you and your partner simply owned the property as tennants in common at whatever % ownership you choose.  

You can easily find the paperwork online to make it appear that your dog is a service dog.

On the flip side, if you have expensive tastes you could easily blow the budget on each item.Your builder may legitimately not yet know the price of the door you picked.  

That should be something that is caught during an annual service/inspection and they may be able to easily fix it.

@Steve Babiak  plus by paying your supporting the site.. its such a small amount a year any RE professional will easily get their money's worth and some will find it the best value proposition they could possibly have.

It could easily go more towards Troy Hill with nicer views of town. 2.