Hotels and short term rentals are interchangeable, so as hotels get back to 100%, this will take some pressure off STR.

There is no seller pressure ( because they do not represent them or financial pressure ) because they are already wealthy.  

Some things you can test for without utilities on, i.e. pressure testing gas lines and plumbing lines.  

What about the Meter set for fresh water and a plumber to tie in the water connection to the house ( has to be pressure tested and signed off by City/County Inspector)Fire Hydrants need to be Chlorinated and tested for quality and leaks by Public works or Fire department depending on your local.  

My wife and I have been looking to buy a property for nearly 2-3 years but life always seems to come first (second daughter, etc.) and financial freedom...well...second...We are making it a goal to close on our first investment property before the EOY but I'm thinking more like closing before the start of Q3...put some more realistic pressure on myself.I've been WFH full time (risk management) since the pandemic and have taken on multiple "COVID" Projects...for example I killed off and "renovated" my entire front lawn into a golf course lawn (0.5 inches height of cut)...lots of factors come along with making that happen but a key to my success was...you guessed it...a lawn forum.I love meeting new people and making connections. 

This is a very simple and almost natural human response to such a situation.Now if this was a local trout stream that sees little pressure or an archery elk honey hole here in Idaho...then maybe I would have been a little more forgiving of your response to my initial message; etiquette and sportsmanship almost asks this of us at times. 

Here is the link to the property if interested in providing feedback. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/38828-Turkey-Ridge-Rd-Mount-Hermon-LA-70450/2072185144_zpid/?

This may involve ways to make it mutually beneficial for the builder to prioritize my building over others in the community, otherwise applying pressure on the builder, clever ways to close even before completion (which maybe is the dumbest idea ever? 

Was there any added sense of pressure for you once you chose to look out of state?

In 5 years, you can buy the same amount of gold for less, that's increased purchasing power and deflationary pressures.