Happy hunting.Thanks for your advices and replies.If this property has real potential (location, size, etc.) and you are truly interested in developing it, then take a value proposition for a better/best use of the property to the City planning committee/department.If your proposal demonstrates better use (read: more tax revenue and neighbourhood improvement) for the City then Mayor's personal view on the property may change {or will not sway council if it does not}.

It is for this reason I advise sticking to family parks for your first few deals at least.There are other small challenges to consider such as the fact you yourself are not likely over 55, there may be a group committee approval process, etc. 

Historic can mean a preservation committee that causes trouble for a rehabber.

Here is what has happened since my last post.4/24 - no call from WaMu4/25 - She leaves a message saying that the "Executive Committee" had to review it due to the large amount of the loss to them.

Same is probably true everywhere to some extent, but I'd bet in rural Texas such thinking would be significant, you can be dealing as an outsider.Lenders will have a lending area, like 30 miles from any branch, you may have the same lender represented all over the state making things slightly easier but that loan officer, that loan committee is from there, expect them to be cautious in dealing off the bat.Biggest thing that keeps me rather local is that I can reach out and touch my deals, I don't rely on others and probably couldn't find anyone with the expertise I'd demand without really cutting them in for more than they would be worth to me, so I just don't.Just some considerations. :)

So before I went to the next auction, I called the committee in charge and they told me that they normally receive the bid from mortgage company only 1 day before the auction.

It's not a random Joe lending you their money rather a committee of investors that decide to lend you the money or not. 

You may be seeing 6 homes on each acre but that may have been decades ago.. you need to call county building and development committee.

He'll sell your deal to the loan committee. 

They are warm and welcoming committee for you.