It seems like the general trend of population growth is northern Dallas.

The 5 acres is part of an 8 acre development.  

Las Vegas's average annual population growth ranges from 2% to 3%.

On our development side we stopped going because it was getting too costly and time consuming to deal with.Not sure if they are still around, but check out ForeclosureRadar.com.

I like the idea of having a partner but that, like you said, would be something to develop over time.

I have a rental in a new rural development that does not have city garbage pickup.

Specifically, there's job growth (Intel, Honda, Amazon, Nationwide, etc) and the population is growing (unlike Cleveland or Cincy).

Why don't they just develop a relationship with a bank (or banks)? 

I have had first time investors purchase short term rentals from out of state while working full time, and they either elect to run it all by themselves after developing a boots on the ground team, or they hire it out to a competent manager and let them do a bulk of the work.

Define your development box.