The place is overgrown and currently not liveable but is on a town road and has water/electric/sewer.

This allows you to test the waters without committing entirely to unfamiliar territory.Local Expertise: Leveraging the knowledge of local experts is invaluable.

This slowed the water down but did not fix it.

Quote from @Zachary Luchs: I am merely just testing the waters to see where everyone is investing.

Will they respect their obligations when they move out or will they stick you with a large bill for unpaid water bills, damages beyond the deposit and extraordinary cleanup expenses?  

He put in a hot water heater, painted the upstairs walls white, put black shutters on the house, painted the deck grey, and painted the front door red.

So one of the properties I own gets it water from a community well.

I’m currently in a duplex that I house hack and the tenant’s rent covers my property taxes, my water and sewer bills, and almost all maintenance costs.

I remember when I completed my first ground-up new construction here in Chicago - FELT AMAZING to finish.Our biggest lessons learned were around getting the water service done early on because of our harsh winters and making sure we keep our designer in check! 

If you pour a concrete slab here in Tampa, Florida, it will raise your Property Taxes because it is not "permeable" for water drainage.