AL has unique laws, supposedly you get reimbursed for the “value” of the improvements.

No, this is not an unusual or unique opportunity, you just need to know what you're doing - like with any area of real estate investing - and you MUST know your real numbers.Good luck to you!

Is it unique?

The difference is that Ginnie Mae provides funds for government loans (FHA and VA)granteeThe person to whom an interest in real property is conveyed.grantorThe person conveying an interest in real property.hazard insuranceInsurance coverage that in the event of physical damage to a property from fire, wind, vandalism, or other hazards.Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)Usually referred to as a reverse annuity mortgage, what makes this type of mortgage unique is that instead of making payments to a lender, the lender makes payments to you.

or cash.. and scoop the deals when and if that time comes around again. but I think its fair to say 08 to 2012 was a very unique set of circumstances and other than a one horse town or one mill town or one main manufacturing town.. were the mill or plant closes and real estate tumbles.. we just never saw such a wide spread loss of values.. 

Correction, you USED to have $330k in your retirement account (Good job though, you are doing well and aren't part Ma & Pa investors I am talking about)Stock Market is now down another -221 points today Ooops, correct that: Stock Market is now down another -545 points today (That's about 1,345 points in a couple of days)So you like real estate over stockHow unique 

LA is a unique market IMO for investing.

Would love to connect with anyone who wants to talk shop and further help me understand the many unique areas of Allegheny County. 

Would love to connect with anyone who wants to talk shop and further help me understand the many unique areas of Allegheny County.

They offer some unique online based classes about land development.