If you hired out all the work, you are more likely to get ~$0.50 for each dollar you spent on the ADU assuming 1) in single family zoned area 2) not converted from existing habitat space. 

But i learned after posting my question that the home was a habitat home with income ceiling limitations and more purchase restrictions than usual.

This ensures that environmentally sensitive land remains protected, preserving its value for conservation and sustainability.In addition, properties under conservation agreements or serving as wildlife habitats are usually exempt from development.

We rarely lose power and less chance of catching on fire, especially considering we are close to open space/ high plains grassy meadows that are prime fire habitat.

I would also add this: go get involved in Construction in some way....make friends with a GC, hang around job-sites, volunteer with Habitat For Humanity or similar....even attend the Home Depot weekend classes.

Look at things such as Habitat Restore and buy things gradually, but with a plan in mind.

Habitat for humanity, and a couple of other 'similar' type mom-n-pop operations often exist in most regions.While burning sounds great on the surface, as others touch on you'll still have to deal with some materials in advance- i think (demo/dump) will overall, still cost you roughly the same , and unless you're a rural area (townhome doesn't sound like it)- it's not like it used to be in the good old days as far as I can tell.

-CRP and other programs. while many of these AG dept & related programs are probably in limbo currently as far as actual payouts, and often not going to work for 5acres, there are programs to look into where the government will lease your land in order to keep it wild/fallow, for habitat and conservation reasons. it won't be much per acre, but might cover taxes or make a deal pencil out otherwise, somehow.

I have seen people buy non-existant properties, bottom of lake (literally underwater), slivers of land too narrow or small to do anything, Army bombing range, expired leases, cell tower now removed, property with 30 year lease and prepaid rent for 30 years, condemned buildings, toxic waste sites, land under railroad tracks, cliffs, landlocked property, wetlands, flood zone, unbuildable property, endangered species habitat, ....I have three rules for buying at Tax Sale:1.

You'll also need to avoid environmentally restricted spots, including wetlands, protected habitats, and prime farmland.