I'm very conscious of it when doing deals.  

Never make quick decisions on any investment in real estate, take your time do as much due diligence as your conscious/heart desires.Is this a good approach to receive Passive rental income (or) should I search the properties and do all the work myself?

Being that we are all grown-ups here and trying to succeed in the real world, I feel that sugar coating advice as to not offend anyone is a silly waste of time for busy full time investors who are offering free advice based on their experiences.I do not mean to offend you in any way (dangit, I just sugar coated it) when I say I feel you need to consciously make an effort to toughen up!  

No municipal approval, no zoning regulations, no subdivision regulations, no environmental regulations......     

this is just an idea and if i lose interest in the animal shelter non-profit, i'd likely get into some other non-profit function anyways as since college, i've always been into environmental & humanitarian efforts (mostly overseas) one way or another.

This would actually be our first flip and we want to avoid environmental issues if we can. 

Property was purchased 10 years ago to be used to house employees of an environmental cleanup company.

Pouring environmentally-safe anti-freeze down the drains and in toilet bowls and tanks can keep water remaining in the P-traps from freezing as well.I do want to commend you for having your neighbors check on the property. 

We need to be aware of the safety issues regarding the products we use in our industry as health issues from environmental causes effect not just our investment but our livelyhood

If sewer and water services are not available you will also need to meet with environmental health regarding testing needed to allow for lot split.