The husband is 89 years old and the neighbors and daughters say he is mentally unstable.

Unless the property is above 1% and has major appreciate or strategic/development value, I would suggest selling.

@Josh MorrisYou can develop a relationship with a loan officer that works with investors and is knowledgable on getting clients pre-qualified. 

It makes it easier on you, and creates a possible "must act fast" mentality.

I am considering to purchase a land in the bay area for new home construction. I want to get a rough idea on the additional work that's required for unfinished lots (vs. finished lots), lots in fault zone or flood zon...

If the site has an immediate development potential, then the analysis is simple.

The story will develop as a rags to riches one, much like Andrew Carnegie in the late 19th century, as I am starting with nothing but ambition. 

At some point developers figured out that if a home was a little larger than a 2 ton but not quite a 2 1/2, they could mismatch the unit sizes.

You know the neighborhood market and are developing a successful equation, it's ok to have a niche too, if you do it well.  

Now my kids are grown, I am in the industry, and I want to get serious about it.My goals for this group are to network with like minded individuals, develop some great relationships, offer my services as a property manager and realtor to those who would benefit from my services, and hopefully find someone who would be willing to be a mentor someone like me in a mutually beneficial relationship.I look forward to the opportunity to plug into the knowledge and support of this community!