He is on the market to buy and has expressed interest in our rental.

No issues and tenants are renewing.That indicates tenants were paying below market rates.If the market rate for a 2-bed/1-bath apartment is $1,000 without utilities included, then he should adjust his rate to $1,100 because it includes $100 in utility cost.

My question is if we are marketing this as land, is more value added from the 2020 mobile home or the multiple utility hook ups?

Also, look to attend meetups local to you and connect with other investors!

If not, well, a confused homeowner always says "No".𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀: Look for property owners with a problem, in markets that favor buyers: increasing inventory, declining sales, price reductions, long days on the market.𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀: Decide the 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦 of lease option you are offering and craft the terms accordingly, agreeing on option to purchase price, lease duration, and monthly rent.𝗡𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Ensure your agreements are clear, legal, and protects all sides.𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗲: Depending upon the type of lease option and your objective, either assign the option to a buyer for a fee, or exercise it yourself when the time’s right.Lease options are a low-risk, low cost entry into real estate investing—start small, take action, then grow.

In today’s competitive real estate market, where inventory is tight and opportunities seem few and far between, many potential buyers are overlooking a game-changing option: renovation loans like the 203(k) and HomeStyle.

To connect with potential partners, consider attending local real estate investor meetups where you can network with those looking to invest passively.If you’d like to explore HM financing options, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to chat!

I've also signed up for New Orleans REI meet ups in the upcoming weeks in hopes of making valuable connections in the local market. 

Any insights or tips you can share about the Section 8 process, the Birmingham market, or challenges to expect?

Structuring the deal properly (like through a land trust) can reduce this risk.Your best bet is to connect with an Illinois investor who has successfully done sub-to deals or find a local real estate attorney who specializes in creative finance.