We've decided

Thanks Kat and Kate for your advice!
It's not all that bad around here, really. We just happened to run into some punky kids........I'm sure punky kids are in every neighborhood. We've never had any problems since we've lived here (since 1993). Only the bad neighbor thing which resolved itself.

SO.............we are going to build on to our house. I'm calling a contractor on Monday to come out and give us an estimate. The same guy that installed our shower and put an addition on our neighbor's house. I really like him and he's a worker.......even on Sundays. None of that stuff working for 2 hours and leaving for the day.

Also, Mom is going to keep her house. We will have to keep up the monthly fee (maintenance) and electric. We'll use it for a get away house and it's not far from the shore. Hubby and I will have it when we are old folks (we will inherit it) and can't keep up this place anymore. Mom's house is in a retirement community not far from Kate. I am really pleased with this idea!
If our neighborhood becomes the pits in the future, we will have a place to move to. So, that is settled.

Mom hired an estate lawyer recently and he recommended to use some of her assets to build on to our house a MIL suite for her. Hubby and I will be her caregiver. This will be a legal way to invest some of her money and not to have all of it taken by the nursing home that Joe is in. Because, Joe is going to live to be 125 and we DO want her to live with us!

Anyway, I am so excited! Not only will be adding a living area for her, we will be siding the existing house, getting all new windows and a new roof. A complete makeover!

I'm hoping we can start this project as soon as the weather breaks!