.– Foundation/moisture: Older homes sometimes don’t have proper drainage.

Tile to the ceiling is a good move too — it helps with moisture control and looks way better to tenants.

At one property in Delaware, we drill a well and hit water at 8 feet, obviously not a good area for a basement.A third alternative is to build a house on a slab, cheaper than a basement and don't have issues with moisture issues. 

Otherwise, the dry ground will suck the moisture out of the ground. 

Sometimes it’s worth bringing in a remediation company just to have the paperwork that says “certified mold inspection/remediation was done.”Middle ground:Document everything (photos of the open ceiling, moisture readings if you can get them).Offer to have a handyman replace the drywall after confirming it’s completely dry.If the neighbor insists on remediation, you can also check if your insurance policy covers water damage/mold claims — let them fight that battle for you.So yes, technically you can fix it yourself if it’s dry and clean, but weigh the risk vs. peace of mind.

This stuff is vinyl all the way through and is totally unaffected by moisture. 

The lady who purchased the neighboring house had serious crawlspace moisture problems and was looking for someone to blame other than herself.

Class A and B buyers will not tolerate humidity, moisture, or seepage. 

The $22,500 rehab estimate I had in my spreadsheet would have ballooned just on the house alone — likely $40–50k or more once the structural and moisture issues were uncovered.

Fence isn't subject to extreme heat but there is moisture coming from the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean (house isn't right next to the water).