Leaky pipes and water damage don't necessarily make a house inhabitable.

Without reading the article (I heard about it on the news) I'd say we now have enough national data to come to a statistical view of the national situation, that doesn't mean that every market is above water.

Put cement board and ceramic tile above ,,,not those cheap surrounds.insulate and plastic sheath as necessary.Nothing is water proof, only resistant.

Which is safer for the line, and do you mix it with water or just pour it straight in?

The scoring system, to me is garbage.

Not sure also how many water bills and weed cutting assessments he will be faced with.

Bring multiple copies with you, and they should stamp one and give it back to you for your records.How long it takes for them to enter it into their system.. now that is another story.

Although buliding a 3 story complex would require sprinklers systems, multiple exits, and most likely more code regulations.

Hvac systems will need to be replaced and converted from gas to all electric.

Steve I could be very possible that the tile ceiling was put up to hide a water damage.