If allowed by the city, grade gravel and fence it and then lease it as outdoor storage. 

People love to talk numbers, assets, cities, trends, but they don't talk enough about the personal development behind the investor.

Husband was supposed to take over the mortgage, but didnt qualify.Last summer, she decided to take her kids and move to a neighboring city.

I have all my properties with American Modern and Allstate.  

I'm looking to tackle some flips in Kansas city, I am not local but can come out as needed.

To me as mentioned path of progress cant go wrong.. unless the city dies. the other land to buy would be timber land in the North west.

To determine if the expense should be classified as a capital improvement or a deductible repair, the context of the expense is very important.An example is, if an item of expenditure is part of a general plan of modernization, renovation or rehabilitation to equipment or other business property, it typically must be capitalized even though on its own it would be currently deductible.According to IRS Code, expenses that you must capitalize are those that:Materially increase valueSubstantially prolong useful life (including replacement of deteriorating assets)Adapt the property to a new or different useHowever, you are allowed to deduct expenses and fees for routine maintenance and repairs that help keep the property in efficient operating condition.

Though I know it's possible for rent and prices to go down, I'm willing to bet this city is here to stay. 

I am having trouble finding distressed properties with enough "meat on the bones" to make enough money on the deal.  Any others having the same trouble.

Oil is literally the life blood of modern civilization.