Our country lives and breathes lawsuits nowwadays.

Yea, your thoughts are all over the board, which is the only dilemma I see.You have enough money to get going, that's a solid start.However you have zero experience, and that's dangerous.So, take a deep breath and relax, real estate is not going anywhere.I might suggest buying a multi-family you can afford (meaning you don't spend everything you have), that is also NOT in need of a rehab (duplex?).

Another theory is that because it is a cinderblock home that possibly this may be another reason house isn’t breathing well.

I wouldn't hold my breath on this. 

I don't have a background in real estate, but I am a computer programmer at an investment consulting firm so I do know a lot about how to analyze investments, and I live and breathe numbers every day.

It’s outside the house, so you’re not touching/breathing/interacting with it.

I just know the NIMBY is strong here so I don’t hold my breath waiting for the end result 😀As for tracking, since you’re not local it’ll be a bit tougher to just have it pop up in the news.

I'm not holding my breath and will just look at the property as if it won't be re-zoned.

Now....I'm in a mode of deep breaths, keep learning, lie in wait to pounce. 

Is it worth it to take the hit on this in order to have to time and breathing room outside of 1031 or would it be better to defer and use 1031 in this case?