Because it is LOL, I have taken many surveys, Its always the # 1 issue. let me add, and execution.

Clearing, ordering surveys, soil tests.

The best route is using licensed foundation companies and engineers to conduct work surveys to determine what needs to be done and then having that work done by licensed companies with warranties. 

@Amby BhagtaniAnalyzing a market Sperling’s Best Placeshttp://www.bestplaces.net/School Diggerhttps://www.schooldigger.com/State & Localhttps://www.statelocalgov.net/GeoMetrxhttps://geometrx.com/Social Explorerhttps://www.socialexplorer.com/Justice Maphttps://justicemap.org/Google Earth / Google Maps / Street ViewFree Map Tools – Elevation Finderhttps://www.freemaptools.com/elevation-finder.htmCensushttps://www.census.gov/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/ahs.htmlhttps://data.census.gov/https://censusreporter.org/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045221City-datahttp://www.city-data.com/Socialexplorerhttp://www.socialexplorer.com/Costarhttp://www.costar.com/Colliershttp://www.colliers.com/en-us/usDepartment of Numbershttps://www.deptofnumbers.com/Data USAhttps://datausa.io/Bureau of Economic Analysishttps://www.bea.gov/https://www.bea.gov/itable/Bureau of Labor Statisticshttps://www.bls.gov/St Louis Fedhttps://fredblog.stlouisfed.org/Zumperhttps://www.zumper.com/NMHChttps://www.nmhc.org/research-insight/quick-facts-figures/Apartment Listhttps://www.apartmentlist.com/research/category/data-rent-estimatesStats Americahttps://www.statsamerica.org/town/Reventurehttps://map.reventure.app/dashboardSafety/Crime StatisticsSpotcrimehttps://spotcrime.com/ Family Watch Doghttp://www.familywatchdog.us/Neighborhood Scouthttps://www.neighborhoodscout.com/City Protecthttps://cityprotect.com/ Crime Mappinghttps://www.crimemapping.com/ Walkability Walk Scorehttps://www.walkscore.com/Checking RentsRentometerhttps://www.rentometer.com/Apartsments.comhttp://www.apartments.com/Apartment Guidehttp://www.apartmentguide.com/Craigslisthttps://www.craigslist.org/about/sitesZillowhttps://www.zillow.com/

At minimum, look at the assessor's site on the lot lines but ideally, have it surveyed so you know what you will own (esp if you are going to build a fence or structure).Tons of lessons, always learning, looking forward to reading what others want to share here! 

If you buy a polluted property, it's highly likely that the cost of cleanup is yours.I've represented a few gas stations in Massachusetts, so from experience I can tell you that you'll need a current environmental survey. 

Send out a survey to see what they want.

If you’re just saying the survey cost of getting the existing building layout documented is too much, you might be able to get creative and avoid the costs, but it’s not a great bet to make. 

A BNY Mellon Wealth Management survey found the 6/10 office made at least six direct investment last year with 7/10 planning to make the same number of investments this coming year. 

Quote from @Michael Ellis: Survey your tenants.