You may be best off with something with about a 1/3 cheaper purchase price.

It was cheaper then purchasing a list from a 3rd party.  

I assume the light portion would be cheaper flood insurance because the flood plane is less "severe."

I ask because my stamps, printed letters and envelopes are still cheaper than online services.  

., there are no strings of any kind attached), there are no taxable income consequences to anyone because a true gift is not considered taxable income.If you want to do more than $14,000 you can explore gifting twice that amount if you are married and your spouse either gives funds, or you make an election to split gift with her which would require a gift tax return just to make the election.Beyond those amounts you might need to file a gift tax return, but with the the lifetime gifting limits over 5 million dollars you would likely not have any consequences other than a gift tax return filing assuming you have not gifted previously over the 5 million+ limitation.I don't believe Mass has a Gift Tax, but you can do a quick internet search to confirm that.  

Wood would be a bit cheaper but it should have a vapor barrier over it before the stucco is applied, unlike block.If you ever need to run additional wires, cables, plumbing, etc., it's nice to have wood walls rather than block.There are plenty of wood frame homes down here.  

Iv suggested maybe trying a new contractor to see if we could get a better deal, but his response is that at his current hourly wage he's cheaper than we would get anyone else to do it.

The taxes are cheaper and a better school.

After some research, I realized I could get a job at a number of casinos in Florida, where property can be had for much cheaper than here, while rents can still make them cash flow.

Bad" market areas, which a number of people might include South Providence and Olneyville in, tend to be much cheaper, so the returns are better - but properties in those areas also tend to be much more management intensive.If you're going to be managing yourself, which is a very good way to get familiar with an area, I'd say stick within 1/2 hour (ideally 15-20 minutes) of wherever you're going to spend most of your time (home, if you'll be retired).You'll find very quickly that before you know it, you'll probably develop the Rhode Island mindset of not wanting to drive too far, and it's just easier to stay on top of properties when they're closer by.I'm much more familiar with properties in the Warwick/Coventry/West Warwick and north part of the state, so if you know you're going to be centered around Newport I'd suggest connecting with some people specifically around there.